Naomi Osaka derailed Serena Williams in a dramatic 2018 US Open women's singles final, 6-2, 6-4, to claim her first career Grand Slam title. Osaka held her nerve to serve out the match and halt Williams, who was contesting her second final is as many majors, from tying Margaret Court's record of 24 women's singles titles.
Osaka wins 6-2, 6-4 to win championship!.
Osaka hits a pair of winners for 30-15, then crushes a 113mph ace for double championship point. Williams saves the first with a backhand winner, but Osaka rips a 114mph service winner out wide for the title. She’s in tears, her entire box is crying. But Williams is standing in the center of the court and there’s a smattering of boos!.
What happened?
Williams was given a first code violation after chair umpire Carlos Ramos judged a gesture from Serena’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou to be coaching - which is allowed on the WTA Tour but not during Grand Slams.
Williams insisted she had not received any tactics from Mouratoglou.
She then received another for a racquet smash at 3-2 in the second set, leading to Ramos docking her a point as Osaka started at 15-0 in the following game.
Williams was furious, walking up to Ramos, shouting and pointing at him as the crowd started booing in support of the former world number one.
The drama continued as the atmosphere in Ashe became more toxic.
Williams, still angry with Ramos for the previous two violations, refused to let the issue slide and launched an extraordinary rant at him at the changeover with Osaka leading 4-3.
"You are a liar. You will never be on a court of mine as long as you live. When are you going to give me my apology? Say you are sorry," she told him.
That led to Ramos docking her the next game - leaving Osaka just one more away from victory at 5-3 up.
Boos continued to rain down, generating incredible noise, as Serena Williams refused to take to the court and demanded an intervention from the tournament referee.
Eventually she returned to the baseline, serving out a game to love before the Japanese Naomi Osaka showed remarkable focus to hold the final game for her first Grand Slam win and she will earn $3.8 million prize money with her US Open victory.
Naomi Osaka speaks.
Naomi is asked about her reaction to winning the US Open and she says, "I'm gonna differ from your question.
I know that everyone was cheering for her (Serena) and I'm sorry it had to happen like this. I just want to say thank you for watching the match.
She sacrificed a lot for me and it means a lot to me for her to come and watch me because she doesn't do that often. My dad never physically watches my match as he walks around so I'll speak to him later."
It was always my dream to play Serena in the US Open finals. Thank you.
As Serena begins her runners-up speech.
Her voice breaking into tears, Serena says: Serena Williams speaks
Well I don't want to be rude and I don't want to answer questions.
I just want to tell you that Naomi played well and this is her first Grand Slam and I know you guys were here rooting for me and let's make this the best moment we can and let's give credit where it's due and not boo and be positive.
Congratulations Naomi!
Thank you to my team, you guys are amazing, thank you to the crowd, you're the best in the world.
I hope to go on and continue to play here. It's been tough for me but thank you so much.
All the respect and admiration for an amazing champion Naomi Osaka.
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