Naomi Osaka at the 2016 US Open
Naomi Osaka may not be known to many people, but on Saturday she will be playing in the U.S. Open women’s final.
The 20-year-old 20th seed from Japan defeated Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday to reach her first professional Grand Slam title match. The youngster, who grew up in the U.S., comes from a Japanese mother and Haitian father and idolized Serena Williams as a young child.
Williams and Osaka will be facing off in Saturday’s final, and after her semifinal victory on Thursday, the Japanese youngster took a moment to confess how she always dreamed of playing the American superstar. Osaka also adorably relayed the following message to Williams before laughing and covering her face: “I love you.”
SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Osaka saved an amazing 13 break points against Keys on Thursday. Williams, the No. 17 seed, beat 19th-seed Anastasija Sevastova of Estonia 6-3, 6-0 on Thursday.
30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW
Williams is seeking her seventh U.S. Open trophy and record-tying 24th Grand Slam title this year.
Osaka has already beat Williams this year: she did it at the Miami Open, although this was only Williams’ second tournament in her return to competitive tennis after giving birth in September 2017.
The women’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium will start at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday.
The Guardians experienced quite the roller coaster ride in 2025. The Detroit Tigers held a…
The Toronto Maple Leafs struck gold on Tuesday after winning the draft lottery. They will…
The Houston Astros suffered a massive blow on Wednesday after Carlos Correa announced that he…
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a horrific injury in Game 1 of the…
Ex-New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs was found not guilty Tuesday of…
The New Orleans Saints have signed Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris from undrafted free…