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!
Williams 3-4 2-6 Osaka*
It's frustration! Osaka breaks again and she is now two games away from US Open glory! Remarkable how she has managed to keep her head amongst this chaos!
Here's the exchange between Serena and the umpire:
"I didn't get coaching. You need to make an announcement that I don't cheat. You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life. I have a daughter and I stand for what's right for her. I have never cheated."
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.
Serena Williams has just been given a game penalty. It is chaos here. Serena is in tears as she remonstrates with the tournament officials.
She's about to lost the US Open final and she has to serve to stay in it. Absolute chaos.
Williams* 4-5 2-6 Osaka
So we're back with Serena serving and now it's to stay in the match. Serena is furious. Absolutely furious.
Well, that's one way to answer back. Smashes through to love.
Serena: "This has happened to me before. This is not fair. there are a lot of men out here who have said a lot of things and do not get that punishment. Because I am a woman you are going to take this away from me? That is not right."
NAOMI OSAKA WINS THE US OPEN!
Williams* 4-6 2-6 Osaka
Here we go - Osaka serving for the US Open championship!
She's been brilliant all evening. While the exchange between Serena and the umpires will take the headlines, Osaka has been phenomenal.
40-15 up with double championship point... Serena saves the first! But can't save the second and OSAKA WINS THE US OPEN!
Osaka is in tears and hugging her family in the players' box. Her mum is in tears too. What a moment for the 20-year-old. Forget everything that happened between Serena and the umpire for now because Osaka was fantastic.
Serena's coach has now admitted he was coaching, but said all coaches do. Cites Rafa Nadal's coach doing the same and never gets pinged. He also says Serena didn't see him coaching and players should be allowed to express their emotions.
This row will roll on and on and on.
Here's a timeline of what happened:
- Serena was given a violation after her coach was spotted telling her to come to the net more. Serena didn't see the coaching and told the umpire, furiously, "I don't cheat to win. I'd rather lose."
- Serena then throws her racket to the floor midway through the second set as she is broken back and is given a second warning, which is a one point penalty. She then tells the umpire: "I didn't get coaching. You need to make an announcement that I don't cheat. You owe me an apology. I have never cheated in my life. I have a daughter and I stand for what's right for her. I have never cheated."
- At the end of that game she remonstrates again with the umpire, who then docks her a game. She tells him he is a "thief" and "stole a point" from her.
- Serena is, at this point, in tears as she speaks with the match officials with the match now at 5-4 in the second as a result of the penalty (a game). She said: "This has happened to me before. This is not fair. there are a lot of men out here who have said a lot of things and do not get that punishment. Because I am a woman you are going to take this away from me? That is not right."
This has muted Osaka's celebrations here. The mood is almost toxic here.
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