Naomi Osaka became pretty fast a big personality in tennis and beyond after she defeated Serena Williams in the 2018 US Open following a dramatic match. However, things got predictably difficult the following year when Naomi had to defend the title. Unfortunately, the Japanese sensation could not replicate her previous year’s success to lose already in the 4th round to an inspired Belinda Bencic.

Naomi was devasted by her loss. It seemed as she was having another great run especially after dismantling rising star Coco Gauff in the previous round.

Fortunately, after the match, she had the luxury of being consoled by a huge personality: Beyoncé.

During an interview, Naomi disclosed:

“She [Beyoncé] was talking to me and she said she was proud of me. I thought, wow, that actually was a really important moment.

I felt really depressed after I lost my match, but I’m thinking about the impact that tennis players. I don’t think we know, I don’t think we’re aware of all the good that we can do.”

Indeed, Naomi is right as in the following US Open she became a global phenomenon for being a huge icon in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement using her powerful platform.

Later, Naomi added:

“That was kind of an eye-opening thing. Even though it was one of my worst matches, to lose. I wanted to be a defending champion and I lost early. There’s still something really good that came out of that.”

Naomi Osaka in 2020

Now the world no.3, the Japanese played her last match on the 12th of September when she defeated Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.

This season Naomi has achieved a composed 16-3 record. The Japanese has won 1 title at the U.S. Open. Osaka reached the final in New York.

 

Belinda Bencic in 2020

Currently ranked no.12, Bencic played her last match on the 16th of September when she lost to Danka Kovinic 6-3 6-1

in the 2nd round in Rome (draw).

Currently, during this year Bencic owns an 8-8 match record.

Naomi Osaka and Belinda Bencic squared off 3 times. The head to head is 3-0 for Bencic. The last time they fought against each other, Belinda Bencic won 7-5 6-4 in the 4th round in New York (U.S. Open) in September 2019.

In the video below you can watch the highlights.