US Open Women’s Final Live: Naomi Osaka vs Victoria Azarenka

Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka look to capture a third Grand Slam title as they face off in the US Open final.

For Osaka, the fourth seed, it would be a third big trophy in two years. For Azarenka, a former world No. 1, it would be the first time since 2013.

OSAKA BOUNCES AFTER AN EARLY IMPLOSION

Osaka bounced back from a disastrous opening to win the second set and send the match to a decider.

The 22-year-old seemed nervous about starting the proceedings as Azarenka took full control, winning the first set 6-1 in less than half an hour.

She raced to a 4-1 lead when Osaka recited 11 unforced errors to both of the Belarusian and kept her foot to her throat.

Azarenka kept up a tense game 5-1 as the final seemed to drift away from Osaka at a rapid pace, then broke the world No. 9’s serve again to freeze the set with a clean return winner.

It was the same story going into the second set when Osaka’s serve fell into the water again, allowing Azarenka to take a 2-0 lead before the young gun showed some steel.

Osaka pulled herself together a bit to steady the boat, breaking for the first time in the match when things leveled at 3-3 before breaking again to claim the 6-3 set.

It was a completely different story in the second set, as Osaka scored 16 winners compared to just five unforced errors.

THE STRANGE CAMEO OF MARIAH CAREY

With no fans allowed, US Open organizers got creative with pre-game entertainment.

A prerecorded clip of Mariah Carey was played on television coverage to promote the contest and received a mixed reaction from the tennis world, with a special mention reserved for the artist to don a mask towards the end of the video as she sang alongside a car.

Tennis writer Nikhila Makker tweeted: “What the heck was that?”

Her journalist colleague Carole Bouchard wrote: “Why does Mariah Carey sing in a car?

“Tacky doesn’t even begin to describe the end of this Carey intro.”

Reporter Courtney Nguyen joked “Does the winner get the Cadillac?” While tennis commentator Nick McCarvel said, “I’m still confused about what just happened.”

THE TALE OF THE STARS COULD NOT BE MORE DIFFERENT

The final, a showdown between one of the game’s growing young stars and a veteran whose career is rejuvenating after several years of stagnation.

Osaka, 22, whose profile is rising rapidly due to a combination of powerful tennis and Black Lives Matter activism, says she is better prepared than when she surprised Serena Williams in the final of the 2018 US Open.

“I’d say I feel like my way of thinking is very different this time,” Osaka said, following her three-set semi-final victory over American Jennifer Brady.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot through the ups and downs, not even counting the finals, but just the regular tournaments.

“I would say that mentally I feel stronger. I feel more fit now. It will be interesting to see what happens.”

Osaka, of Japanese and Haitian descent, wears different masks honoring the victims of racial injustice and police brutality throughout the tournament.

The 2019 Australian Open champion has donned face covers with the names of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd and Philando Castile.

He will wear another for the Arthur Ashe showdown, which will be held without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think it’s a very big motivating factor for me just to try to get the names out to as many people as I can,” Osaka said.

Azarenka, 31, is brimming with confidence after coming back from a set against to stun longtime rival Williams and book a third US Open final.

It will be her first appearance in a major final since Williams beat her in the decider at the US Open in 2013.

The Belarusian also suffered a heartbreaking loss to Williams at the 2012 US Open, when she served the match 5-3 in the third set only to lose 7-5.

Azarenka’s two main titles came at the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013 and she has endured a rough few years. The injury-plagued seasons of 2014 and 2015 came before her career was further interrupted by a custody battle for her son, born in December 2016.

However, Azarenka has returned to 27th place in the rankings and is enjoying a fairytale run at the US Open after claiming last month’s Western and Southern Open tuning event in New York.

If she defeats Osaka, she will become the fourth woman, after Belgians Kim Clijsters, Margaret Court and fellow Australian Evonne Goolagong, to win Grand Slam singles titles in the Open era after having children.

Azarenka says he’s benefiting from a more Zen outlook on life and takes delight in the fact that few commentators expected the unseeded player to mount a challenge.

“Mentally I’m in such a different place. I think seven years ago, after winning the Australian Open … I was expected to be in the final,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s been the case this year. It feels more fun this year, more fulfilling, more enjoyable for me.”

Osaka and Azarenka have unfinished business after the Japanese star withdrew from the West and South final due to a hamstring injury, handing the title to Azarenka.

“She is a very, very powerful player,” Azarenka said of Osaka. “She is a great champion. She has already won two. Aren’t we both looking for a third?”