US Open: S. Williams vs. Naomi Osaka: Much more than a Grand Slam final

When Serena Williams meets Naomi Osaka in the US Open Final on Saturday at 22:00 German time, this is much more than a Grand Slam final. The American could equal Margaret Court with her seventh triumph at the US Open.

36-year-old Williams gets a chance to win the singles 24th Grand Slam, while Osaka, just 20 years old, is about her first major triumph. Both players lost only one set on their way to the final showdown – Williams against Kaia Kanepi, Osaka against Aryna Sabalenka. The starting position before the final could not be much more balanced.

One of the main criteria will be how the Japanese woman will be able to deal with the burden of the first Grand Slam final. Osaka has played extremely light-heartedly so far – in the semi-final against Madison Keys, the pressure of the first semi-final in the highest tournament category could not even be noticed.

It will also be crucial for Osaka to lose respect for her opponent and play as aggressively as possible. After the semi-final, the Asian, who is also an American citizen, said on the court: “I just thought that I really want to play against Serena – I love you.”

In the only duel to date in Miami, Osaka could handle the pressure very well: She defeated Williams 6-3 and 6-2, but the US player is now much stronger than in March, having already reached the Wimbledon final, in which she lost to Angelique Kerber.

In New York, the 36-year-old showed by far her best performances since returning to the Tour. Just a year ago Williams was in hospital due to complications after her daughter was born and did not know if she could play tennis professionally again.

But that was probably William’s least concern at the time. After the semi-final victory against Anastasiya Sevastova, the world’s first for many years, said: “I remembered that last year I practically fought for my life”. But now she’s back. And she plays as strong as ever.

The 6:3 and 6:0 victory in the semi-final shows how strong Williams is again. With her crashing serves and her dominant playing style, she puts her opponents under great pressure early in the rally. The one-two punch will play a major role for the American in this encounter. The longer the rally lasts, the greater Osaka’s chances of winning the point.

The fans can look forward to a great final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. By far the best players of the tournament will contest the final showdown. Should Williams win, it would be her twenty-fourth success in a Grand Slam tournament. In the eternal list of the best, she would equal the Australian record holder Margaret Court.