Serena Williams vs Naomi Osaka - as it happened: Japanese emerges victorious in heated US Open final
Re-live all the action from Flushing Meadows
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Your support makes all the difference.Naomi Osaka took on her idol Serena Williams and beat her soundly in this year's US Open women's singles final to claim a first Grand Slam title.
The 20-year-old, who was the first Japanese woman to appear in a Grand Slam final, was barely 12 months old when Williams won her first major title but overcame the legendary Williams in straight sets 6-2 6-4 to win at Flushing Meadows.
Williams, meanwhile, attracted headlines for all the wrong reasons after on-court violations and a row with the umpire.
The 36-year-old had the chance to draw level with Margaret Court's all-time record (24) of Grand Slam titles but fell to the youthful energy and classy all-round play of Osaka.
Here is how it happened:
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What time does it start?
The final gets underway at 4pm local time, which is 9pm BST.
How can I watch it?
You'll have to subscribe to Amazon Prime to watch the final after the internet giant bought exclusive rights to the tournament earlier this year. Alternatively, follow updates from the live blog above!
Osaka takes the first set!
Williams* 0-0 2-6 Osaka
Easy! Osaka takes it to 15 and Serena is facing a huge challenge now because the 20-year-old is really on her game tonight! It took less than 40 minutes to take that set. Can she carry this form into the second yet?
FACT
No woman has won the US Open after losing the first set since 1994. History maker or history break in the second? Let's find out...
Williams 1-0 2-6 Osaka*
A great rally to kick off the second but, like the first, it ends with an unforced error from Williams. She needs to find some momentum from somewhere.A couple of wayward shots from Osaka may have just given her that as she takes the opening game.
Williams* 1-1 2-6 Osaka
Serena's coach has just been speaking courtside and believes his player has been surprised by Osaka and is rushing a bit too much.
Osaka is about to take the game and Serena is warned about coaching. She tells the umpire in no uncertain terms "I don't cheat to win", before coming into the net to smash the ball past Osaka.
She cannot take the game however.
Williams 2-1 2-6 Osaka*
Another look at that alleged coaching of Serena and he does seem to signal to come to the net more. And whether it was coaching or not, she is coming to the net a lot more and is winning those points.
But Osaka is proving too much for her and earns another break point, this time saved by Serena after an epic rally. Ironically it is saved by Serena again coming to the net! She then pulls out a stunning drop shot to set up game point - which she takes.
Williams* 3-1 2-6 Osaka
In the break Serena was again protesting her innocence and insisting she does not cheat. To be fair to her, the fault was with her coach rather than her.
And she earns a break point to emphasise it, but WHAT A RALLY! Osaka saves with a stunning series of forehands and she overpowers Serena! Wow! We're at deuce and Osaka saves yet another break point with a huge serve.Then there's another break point and another save. And now another break point... but she can't save this one! Serena breaks!
Williams 3-2 2-6 Osaka*
Serena tried so hard to force this momentum and after another double fault she gifts Osaka the break point, which Osaka takes! Serena takes it out on her racket as she smashes it into the court. Back on serve we go!
Williams* 3-3 2-6 Osaka
Serena is given a point violation for smashing her racket after a previous warning for alleged coaching. She is furious with the decision and demands the umpire make an announcement that she did not cheat. She says she would never be that as an example to her daughter. "You owe me an apology" she tells him.
On the court, Osaka takes the game to love. How will this anger go? Motivation or frustration?
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