NAOMI OSAKA. Beating Serena Williams in the US Open final was very important for my career

Naomi Osaka appears to be back to the form that led her to the number one ranking. She won her third title of the year last week at the China Open in Beijing. The victory was her second in the Asian swing of the WTA tour. The 21-year-old won the Toray Pacific Open in her home city of Osaka, Japan last month. After her latest victory in Beijing, Osaka has spoken about last year’s match against Serena Williams.

Expected to win a Grand Slam by 18

In an interview with CGTN, the Japanese star reflected on her victory over Serena Williams at the US Open. She said that though many did not expect it, she had always believed she would win a major title early in her career. “I expected to win a Grand Slam when I was 18. You always have high goals for yourself.” The victory over Serena was somewhat controversial after the 23-time Grand Slam champion was displeased with the umpire during the match. However, Osaka said she was happy to get the win despite the circumstances and hoped to build on the foundation of her first Grand Slam victory. “Just to have that very early in my career is quite promising. I just hope I keep going.”

Back to back titles in Osaka and Beijing

Osaka followed up her victory at the US Open by winning the Australian Open this year. She said she is now used to the attention she first received after taking the tennis world by surprise. Though some thought her victory over Williams was a fluke, the 21-year-old has proved that she belongs at the top of the game. After some disappointing results at the three other Grand Slams this year, the former world number one is back to her best. She has won back-to-back tournaments in Asia. She was dominant at the Toray Pacific Open, winning the title without dropping a set. Last week at the China Open, she defeated Bianca Andreescu, Caroline Wozniacki, and Ashleigh Barty on her way to the title.

Her rivalry with Bianca Andreescu

Her match against Andreescu in the quarterfinals in Beijing was the first in their respective careers. It was a close affair with Osaka having to come from behind to claim victory against the 19-year-old. Many in the game expect them to dominate the game for the next few years. Both players have qualified for the WTA Finals in Shenzhen.

Naomi Osaka’s ranking and performance in 2019

Ranked no.3, the Japanese played her last match on the 6^th of October when she defeated Ashleigh Barty 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the final in Beijing to win her 4^th career title.

This year Naomi has a 39-11 win-loss record. Osaka has won 3 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Osaka and in Beijing.

Serena Williams’s ranking and performance in 2019

Ranked no.9, Serena Williams played her last match on the 7^th of September when she was defeated by Bianca Vanessa Andreescu 6-3 7-5 in the final in U.S. Open.

Serena Williams’s best performance of this season was reaching the final in at the U.S. Open, Toronto and in Wimbledon.

Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka.

The last time that they squared off, Serena Williams won 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in The Toronto in 09^th August 2019.

Here the highlights.