Naomi Osaka holds off Madison Keys to reach maiden Grand Slam final
Naomi Osaka won the battle of power-hitting against Madison Keys to reach the 2018 US Open final.
While the score was a pretty lopsided 6-2, 6-4 in favour of the Japanese player, several points turned into slugfests as both players went for their shots.
The dream run continues for @Naomi_Osaka_!
She becomes the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open era after defeating Keys 6-2, 6-4!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/7kKVkKZupe
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2018
Keys came out hard in the fourth game of the opening set and raced to 0-40 lead to earn three break points, but Osaka fought them off, and a fourth one, to hold serve.
The 20-year-old then turned the tables in the next game as she broke and, after backing it up with her own serve, claimed the double break as Keys started to misfire.
Osaka was in charge early on in the second set with a break in the opening game and Keys then threw the kitchen sink at her in the next game as she had six break points, but again the Japanese player held off the challenge.
The American continued to ask question over the next few games, but Osaka had answers for everything and got over the finish line in one hour and 27 minutes.
First-time Grand Slam finalist Osaka, the first Japanese woman to reach the final, will face Serena Williams in Saturday’s showpiece match after the American beat Anastasija Sevastova in straight sets.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
WTA TourWhy Emma Raducanu should take encouragement from her recent near misses
Emma Raducanu should take encouragement from her recent near misses.
-
ATP TourCarlos Alcaraz to take lessons from David Goffin’s spanking
Carlos Alcaraz says he will take lessons from the spanking he got from David Goffin.
-
NewsDaria Kasatkina ousts Emma Raducanu in first round of Agel Open
The British number one was beaten 7-5 6-4 at the Czech tournament.
-
Tennis NewsNick Kyrgios requests dismissal of assault charge – reports
Nick Kyrgios’ case continues to move through the system despite his absence.
-
ATP TourDual ATP 500 week opens with huge upsets as Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz lose
Tokyo and Nur-Sultan have both lost their top seeds early in the week.
-
NewsOn This Day: Maria Sharapova sees doping ban reduced
The Russian star had tested positive for the cardiac drug meldonium earlier in the year.
-
US OpenEmma Raducanu windfall to be reinvested in girl’s game
Prime Video LTA Youth Girls will train coaches across Great Britain to deliver lessons specifically designed for girls.
-
ATP TourCan Novak Djokovic become World No 1 again
Novak Djokovic needs to get into Australia to have a shot at returning to No 1.
-
OlympicsNovak Djokovic still has Olympic dream in his sights
The Olympic dream still claws at Novak Djokovic.
-
ATP TourNovak Djokovic has a champion mindset that powers his success
Novak Djokovic says that you need to think like a champion to be a champion.