Osaka recovers from firstset shocker to claim title
TENNIS
NEW YORK: Naomi Osaka ended Victoria Azarenka’s dream run to claim her second US Open title in three years with a 16, 63, 63 comeback win yesterday which cemented her status as the sport’s leading light both on and off the court.
Unlike the 22yearold Japanese’s first US Open win in 2018 over Serena Williams, which was played in a frothing Arthur Ashe Stadium, yesterday’s drama unfolded in a strangely quiet arena as Covid19 health and safety protocols prevented fans from entering the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre.
But the lack of buzz around the stands did not stop the two former world No 1s from producing a dazzling display of shotmaking.
As Osaka walked off with a third grand slam title, Azarenka was denied a US Open crown for a third time having also finished runnerup in 2012 and 2013.
Still it was a remarkable and unexpected run for the 31yearold Belarusian, who reached her first major final in seven years.
It was the second time in two weeks Azarenka, twice a winner at the Australian Open, and Osaka had set up a final showdown.
The pair had been set to meet in the Western and Southern Open final on August 29 until Osaka withdrew due to a hamstring injury.
‘‘I actually don’t want to play you in more finals,’’ Osaka told Azarenka with a smile during the victory ceremony.
‘‘I didn’t really enjoy that. ‘‘That was a really tough match for me.
‘‘And yes, really inspiring for me because I used to watch you play here when I was younger, so just to have the opportunity to play you is really great and I learned a lot.’’
As she has done in every match over the past fortnight, Osaka appeared on court with her left thigh strapped and a facemask with the name of a black American victim of police brutality or racial injustice.
For the final it was Tamir Rice, a 12yearold boy shot by police in 2014 while playing with a toy gun in a playground.
Osaka had already replaced Serena Williams as top earner and now has assumed the leadership mantle that goes with it.
With the United States rocked by unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, just three weeks ago by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Osaka had withdrawn from her semifinal at the Western and Southern Open in protest.
The men’s and women’s tour responded by postponing all the matches that were due to take place on the day of the protest by 24 hours and persuaded Osaka to contest the rescheduled match.