THE GOOD AND THE UGLY

Serena

Williams’ meltdown at the antics of the chair umpire Carlos Ramos during the US Open left Naomi Osaka as the first Japanese winner of a Grand Slam title. The final became an open war between Serena and chair official Ramos after Serena received a code violation for her coach trying to give her instructions while the match was on and another for breaking her racquet. She was even docked a full game for calling the umpire

‘ a liar and a thief ’. It was in the second game of the second set that Williams was warned for receiving coaching, a charge she vigorously denied. “I don’t cheat to win,” she said. “I’d rather lose,” she added. Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, admitted that he was trying to advise her with a hand gesture, although

Williams was oblivious. Many in the tennis world are convinced that the umpire went overboard. Naomi

Osaka became the first Japanese to win a Grand Slam singles title on Saturday as her idol Serena Williams angrily imploded, calling the chair umpire in the US Open final “a thief”.

Osaka, 20, triumphed 6- 2, 6- 4 in the match marred by Serena’s set of outburst.

Throughout the match Osaka — displayed not only a stellar game but remarkable poise — held serve to seal a historic win for her country.

Osaka has refused to criticise Serena Williams after her historic US Open victory was overshadowed by the American’s furious row with the chair umpire.

After returning to Japan on Thursday, Osaka insisted there were no hard feelings towards Williams.

“For me I don’t feel sad because I wouldn’t even know what I'm expected to feel,” said Osaka, who has climbed from 19th to seventh in the new world rankings.