Osaka serves up some Serena love ahead of historic final

Sealing a US Open final date with supermum Serena Williams, the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final was feeling the love.

Serena Williams was tutu good as swatted aside Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia to win through to the US Open final. Picture: Chris Trotman/Getty

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, mum; I love everybody”.

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

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

“I thought I could get a break but every time she would hit an ace or a big shot,” said the 23-year-old.

Naomi Osaka of Japan serves up a storm to win her way to a historic US Open women’s final, then served up the love. Picture: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP

Earlier, Six-time champion Williams, swept aside Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-3 6-0 to reach her ninth US Open final.

She now has another chance to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 grand slam titles by beating Osaka.

Williams, seeded 17th as she seeks to add to her 23 Grand Slam titles for the first time since the birth of her daughter Olympia last year, needed just 66 minutes to dispatch the 19th-seeded Sevastova 6-3, 6-0.

SERENA’S MASSIVE MILESTONE

Williams called her return to the US Open final for a ninth time “incredible” given that she was undergoing surgery for life threatening blood clots this time last year in the wake of giving birth.

“To come from that, in the hospital bed, not being able to move and walk and do anything, now only a year later, I’m not training, but I’m actually in these finals, in two in a row,” said Williams, who also reached the final at Wimbledon.

“To come this far so fast … I’m really looking forward to the possibilities,” she said.

Williams lost out in the semi-finals of her last two US Opens, in 2015 and 2016. But with six titles in New York she needs just one more to surpass Chris Evert for most all-time —- and she needs just one more Grand Slam title to equal Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record.

“I definitely wasn’t at my best,” said Williams, now in her seventh tournament back.

Serena Williams celebrates match point during her women's singles semi-final match. Picture: Chris Trotman/Getty

Williams took a while to warm up, dropping her serve in the opening game.

But she was back on terms after a break for 2-2, getting the break when Sevastova’s attempt at a drop shot from deep in the court failed to make it over the net.

From there Williams was on the attack, winning 24 of 28 points at the net. After breaking again for a 4-2 lead she produced a convincing hold that featured the first of her four aces.

Serving for the first set she opened with a 193 kmh ace and Sevastova was out of answers.

“I’ve been working hard on my volleys,” Williams said of her aggressive game plan. she had “I have won a few doubles championships so I know how to volley.

“I just usually come in to shake hands,” she quipped, before explaining she thought the tactic would be effective against Sevastova’s mix of spin and slice.

“I don’t play opponents like her every day,” Williams said. “I usually play players that hit really, really hard — very different.”

Sevastova, who beat defending champion Sloane Stephens to reach the last four, was left regretting “some stupid games from me that I lost”.

“I shouldn’t have gotten broken twice in the first set — I had game points in both games,” she said. “When she’s in front, it’s tough to play,” Sevastova said.bb/dj

MILESTONE MATCH

A quick look at the milestones Serena Williams will be chasing in the US Open final against Naomi Osaka:

— A 24th Grand Slam title would see Williams tie Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record for major victories. Williams’s 23 are the Open Era record — one more than Steffi Graf’s 22.

— A 7th title — to go with those won in 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014 — would see Williams pass Chris Evert for the most US Open victories.

— Williams can notch her first victory since the birth of her daughter Olympia in September 2017 and join Court, Kim Clijsters and Evonne Goolagong as the only mothers to win Grand Slam singles titles.

— With a victory, Williams would avoid her first season since 2011 without a Grand Slam title.

A year after undergoing surgery for life-threatening blood clots, Williams again has Flushing Meadows at her feet. Picture: Chris Trotman/Getty

— AFP