‘I love you’ – Osaka tells US Open final opponent Serena Williams

Naomi Osaka told US Open title opponent Serena Williams “ I love you ” just moments after she became the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final .The 20 – year – old breakout star of the tournament swept into the record books and Saturday ’ s championship match against the 23 – time major winner with a 6 -2 , 6 – 4 win over Madison Keys , the runner – up in 2017 .

When asked on court what she told herself as she served for the match , she said : “ Don ’ t double fault ” .

“ Why, ” asked the interviewer . “ Serena , ” replied the charismatic Osaka .
“ I love you , Serena , ” she added before adding “ I love you , mom ; I love everybody ” .

Osaka , the 20 th seed , has met and defeated Williams once — at Miami in March .

That win came just a week after she had lifted her first top -level trophy at the prestigious Indian Wells event in California .

Saturday will be the fulfilment of Osaka ’ s childhood dream of facing Williams in a Grand Slam final .

“ It still feels a little bit, like , surreal. Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed that I would play Serena in a final of a Grand Slam , ” she said .

“ Just the fact that it ’ s happening , I ’ m very happy about it . At the same time I feel like even though I should enjoy this moment , I should still think of it as another match .

“ Yeah , I shouldn ’ t really think of her as , like, my idol . I should just try to play her as an opponent . ”

The contrast on Saturday cannot be greater .

Serena will be playing in her 31 st Grand Slam final and ninth at the US Open where she is a six – time champion .

When the American , 16 years her senior , won her first US Open in 1999 , Osaka was not yet two years old .

Whatever happens in the final , Osaka said she will remain a fan of the American who is chasing a record -equalling 24 th major , just a year after giving birth and undergoing four post- natal surgeries .

“ When you just come back and then you make the finals of two slams , I think that ’ s really amazing , ” added Osaka in reference to Williams’ s runner – up spot at Wimbledon in July.

“ I ’ m sure that everyone knows that Serena ’ s really good, of course . But I don’ t want to overthink this match , so I ’ m not going to think that she ’ s so much better than she was in Miami .

“ I ’ m just going to go out there and play . Since I already know she ’ s a good player , I don’ t want to be surprised if she plays better or not . ”

Keys had beaten Osaka three times out of three before Thursday ’ s semi – final but the 14 th seed admitted she had been completely over -powered in the semi -final .

“ I thought I could get a break but every time she would hit an ace or a big shot , ” said the 23 – year -old who carved out 13 break points which were all saved by the Japanese star.

“ It was difficult . You think she ’ s going to let up but she didn ’ t . She was very impressive . ”

( AFP )

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