Naomi Osaka wins US Open after controversial Serena Williams treatment
Naomi Osaka has won the US Open, although the match may well be better remembered for Serena Williams’ astonishing meltdown.
The Japanese star eased to a 6-2 6-4 success at Flushing Meadows against her idol in an absolutely absorbing final.
Osaka was easily the best player in the opening set, quickly racing into a 4-1 lead before coolly converting.
Controversy reigned in the second set though, as Serena Williams started to rack up code violations that ultimately cost her her cool if not the match itself.
The Pride of 🇯🇵!@Naomi_Osaka_ defeats Serena Williams 6-2, 6-4 to become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/sNilrZOaNU
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2018
Already upset at being warned for on-court coaching, Williams received a point penalty for smashing a racket in frustration.
That ignited her anger even more, and she confronted the match umpire repeatedly, demanding he apologised for the coaching accusation.
When he refused, she accused him of ‘stealing’ a point from her, resulting in him issuing a game penalty for verbal abuse.
That gave Osaka the chance to serve for the championship, and she duly delivered on an astonishing night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
More from Tennis365:
Tennis Today: Serena Williams lays down challenge to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Juan Martin del Potro v Novak Djokovic: US Open final preview, stats and betting
Comment: Why it all feels very different for Roger Federer this time
Meet Marian Vajda, the man who has put Novak Djokovic back at the top of the tennis world
Quiz! Can you name the players who have bagelled Rafael Nadal?
Latest
-
NewsMore Australian Open players go into isolation taking number up to 72
Forty-seven had already been told they had to stay in their rooms for 14 days.
-
NewsHow Australian Open players are keeping themselves occupied in quarantine
A total of 47 players were told they would have to stay in their rooms for 14 days.
-
NewsAustralian Open preparations rocked by fourth positive Covid case
A positive test was returned by a broadcast team member on a charter flight from Los Angeles.
-
NewsPlayers were made aware of isolation risks on arrival to Australia – Craig Tiley
Forty seven players will have to remain in their hotel rooms for 14 days.
-
Australian OpenAndy Murray’s waiting game as anger mounts after tennis players fly in for Australian Open
Andy Murray is waiting to see if there is any way he compete in the Australian Open after testing positive for Covid-19.
-
NewsPositive Covid cases on flights to Australia put 47 players in 14-day quarantine
Three people across two chartered flights carrying the Open hopefuls tested positive for coronavirus upon their arrival in Melbourne.
-
Tennis NewsBernard Tomic still has drive to compete, saying ‘I don’t need to play tennis again, I’ve got enough money’
“I’m risking my life, and I’m playing and competing.”
-
Tennis NewsDominic Thiem: ‘My wish for 2021 is to win a second Grand Slam title’
Dominic Thiem eyes a second Grand Slam trophy.
-
Australian OpenVIDEO and PICS: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams among tennis stars to arrive in Australia
This way for a video and pics of arrivals in Australia.
-
Australian OpenOfficial insists no special Australian Open treatment for Andy Murray after positive COVID-19 result
Andy Murray warned he won’t get preferential treatment.