US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka reaches final after beating Jennifer Brady

Naomi Osaka has reached the finals of the US Open yet again after producing a top-notch performance to oust American Jennifer Brady.

The fourth seed, Osaka, who won the title in 2018, came out victorious after a 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-3 win over Brady who did not drop a set in reaching the last four.

The 22-year-old will face Victoria Azarenka who defeated 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in Saturday’s final.

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Osaka, who backed up her maiden Grand Slam victory in New York with another triumph at the Australian Open five months later now has a chance to make it three out of three when she faces Azarenka.

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She seemed to have returned to her fierce form, which earned her recognition as a top player after appearing to struggle to cope with the increased pressure of being the world’s top-ranked player.

Osaka has matured as a person and player since her first Grand Slam wins, with new coach Wim Fissette acknowledging this week that her activism against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States has added further fuel to her mission of winning in New York.

Brady’s path to a maiden Grand Slam semi-final on the other hand has been unusual compared to most of her peers, having played in the American collegiate system before a relatively late progression to the WTA Tour.

The 25-year-old seemed to have caved under the pressure of the moment as wayward hitting cost her the first set.

She, however, bounced back impressively in the second set to force the game into a decider as she reset mentally to rock Osaka when the two-time Grand Slam champion’s level momentarily dipped in the eighth game.

Both players, having played arguably their best tennis of the tournament in the opening two sets, looked to see it out in the third and Osaka was the answer.