Naomi Osaka of Japan has made it to her first grand slam final with a 6-2 6-4 win over American Madison Keys at the US Open.
The 20-year-old is the first Japanese woman in history to make a grand slam final, and she will face Serena Williams, who earlier on Thursday beat Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-3 6-0.
The semi-final match was the fourth meeting between the 14th-seeded Keys, last year’s runner-up, and Osaka.
Asked after the match what was on her mind as she marched to victory, Osaka said, “This is going to sound really bad. I was just thinking I really want to play Serena.”
Williams now has another chance to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 grand slam titles by beating Osaka.
Williams won 12 of the last 13 games in the semi-final, surging to the net repeatedly and proving hugely successful, winning 24 of 28 points in a win that took just 66 minutes.
“I’ve been working hard on my volleys,” she said. “I have won a few doubles championships so I know how to volley.
“I just usually come in only to shake hands but tonight I thought I’m playing such a good player, and I knew if I wanted to have a chance against Anastasija, I had to come in. I wanted to try something different today and it worked.”
Like she had against Karolina Pliskova in her quarter-final, Williams began nervously, sending the ball flying over the baseline and losing the opening two games.
But that was all it took for the 17th seed to calm herself down and soon she was overpowering Sevastova, who only won one more game in the opening set.
The second was brutal as Williams put herself within one victory of a seventh title at Flushing Meadows.
“It’s obviously really incredible. A year ago I was literally fighting for my life after I had the baby.
“Every time I step out on the court, I feel so grateful. Whatever happens in the semi-final, final, I feel like I’ve already won. This is just the beginning and I’m really excited about that.”