Naomi Osaka has defeated Serena Williams 6-2, 6-4 to become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
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
Your 2018 #USOpen champion…@Naomi_Osaka_ ???????? pic.twitter.com/yAPFaezBpz
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2018
Williams broke down in tears after she was docked a game in the final set of a dramatic US Open final which she lost 6-2 6-4 to Naomi Osaka.
Williams, 36, was given a third code violation by umpire Carlos Ramos after calling him a “thief”, leading to the penalty which gave Osaka a 5-3 lead.
Osaka, 20, maintained her focus to become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam.
Williams refused to shake hands with Ramos after the match.
The American graciously congratulated Osaka at the net after the 20th seed completed an extraordinary victory and, although Williams’ behaviour will grab the attention, nothing should detract from a class and composed display from Osaka.
“I don’t want to be rude. I don’t want to do questions. Naomi played well. This is her first Grand Slam!
“I know you guys were here rooting but lets make this the best moment we can. Lets give everyone the credit where credit is due.
“Lets not boo anymore. Congratulations Naomi! No more booing! Thank you to my team, you guys are amazing.
“This crowd is the best in the world. Thank you so much. I really hope I can continue to go and play here again. I will see. It has been a tough year for me but thank you so much.
What happened?
Williams was given a first code violation after Ramos judged a gesture from 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 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 Osaka showed remarkable focus to hold the final game for her first Grand Slam win.
