Tennis VAVELFULL TIME
US Open: Naomi Osaka vs Victoria Azarenka
Osaka wins the US Open!
Naomi Osaka wins the US Open!
A final unforced error by Azarenka closes out the match for the fourth seed, who had to dig deep and overcome her own poor play and a spirited opponent who looked for all the world as she would run away with the match.
So a third major title for Osaka and her second at Flushing Meadows in the last three years. She's on the fast track for the Hall of Fame. Also a sweet moment for coach Wim Fissette, who was with Azarenka last year and now has guided Osaka to a major title.
For many reasons, this may be Osaka's most meaningful title as she's displayed the names of shooting victims when walking on court on her masks. A fully deserved title.
That will conclude VAVEL's coverage of the women's final. Join me tomorrow for the men's final as fifth seed Alexander Zverev faces second seed Dominic Thiem with a first-time major champion guaranteed.
This is John Lupo saying so long for now and take care!
Osaka breaks!
*Osaka 1-6 6-3 5-3 Azarenka
This third set is seesawing back and forth in it's back in Osaka's favor.
Azxarenka breaks back!
Osaka 1-6 6-3 4-3 *Azarenka
What a turnaround in that game as Azarenka breaks after trailing in that game 40-15 with some pristine forehand winners and some Osaka unforced errors.
Crucial hold for Azarenka
*Osaka 1-6 6-3 4-2 Azarenka
What a hold for the two-time major champion. She cones through a seven and a half minute game to keep some pressure on Osaka.
Osaka digs deep to hold
Osaka 1-6 6-3 4-1 *Azarenka
That might have been the match right there as Osaka gets out of 0-40 to keep her break lead. She's two games from the title.
Osaka breaks!
*Osaka 1-6 6-3 3-1 Azarenka
This is quite a turnaround from Osaka and she seems to be in control now.
Osaka back out in front
Osaka 1-6 6-3 2-1 *Azarenka
This set is moving right along with little fanfare so far.
Azarenka evens it up
*Osaka 1-6 6-3 1-1 Azarenka
Azarenka answers with a hold of her own.
Osaka holds to open up the third set
Osaka 1-6 6-3 1-0 *Azarenka
Nice, easy hold for the 2018 champion, which ended with a challenge from Azarenka.
Osaka evens the match!
Naomi Osaka takes the second set 6-3!
Much better hitting from Osaka in that second set as she took control of the baseline and was dictating more.
Osaka a game away from the set
Osaka 1-6 5-3 *Azarenka
There haven't been many backhand-to-backhand exchanges won by the fourth seed today, but she took that one and it's put her on the verge of forcing a deciding set.
Osaka breaks!
*Osaka 1-6 4-3 Azarenka
Now she's fully engaged. Osaka takes the lead for the first time in the match.
Osaka holds
Osaka 1-6 3-3 *Azarenka
Perhaps the 2018 champion is starting to find rhythm.
Azarenka stops the streak
*Osaka 1-6 2-3 Azarenka
The two-time major champion gets back on track with a hold.
Osaka draws level
Osaka 1-6 2-2 *Azarenka
Nothing is coming easy for Osaka, but she does manage to hold, winning two games in a row.
Osaka breaks back!
*Osaka 1-6 1-2 Azarenka
Finally, the old Osaka has arrived at the match as she belted some forehands to get back on serve.
Azarenka breaks!
Osaka 1-6 0-2 *Azarenka
A clinical display by Azarenka so far, especially on her backhand side, which just produced, for all intents and purposes, another winner.
Azarenka holds to open the second set
*Osaka 1-6 0-1 Azarenka
Well, the good news is that Osaka got to 30 on Azarenka's serve in that game. The bad news for her is the Belarusian still held.
Azarenka soars into the lead
Victoria Azarenka wins the first set 6-1!
You can't really play a much better set than what Azarenka just did. If she keeps this up, we may not be here more than another half an hour.
Azarenka holds
*Osaka 1-5 Azarenka
Well, this has been one-way traffic so far. Azarenka a game from the opening set.
Azarenka goes up a double break
Osaka 1-4 *Azarenka
It's all going a bit south on Osaka in a hurry as she's broken for a second time after another error.
Azarenka on fire
*Osaka 1-3 Azarenka
What a shot to close out that game as Azarenka absolutely ROPES a forehand down the line for a winner. She's playing brilliantly to start this final.
Osaka on the board
Osaka 1-2 *Azarenka
A much-needed game for the fourth seed early on in this final.
Love hold for the two-time major champion
*Osaka 0-2 Azarenka
Love hold for Azarenka as she easily consolidates the break.
Azarenka breaks to open the match
Osaka 0-1 *Azarenka
Perfect start for the Belarusian as she's come out firing and an overhit forehand by Osaka on break point gives Azarenka the lead.
Match preview
Here is a comprehensive match preview by my colleague Noel John Alberto.
US Open Women's final preview: Naomi Osaka vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-Head
This is the fourth career meeting between Osaka and Azarenka with the Japanese having taken two of the previous three. Their last matchup was at last year's French Open when Osaka rallied from a set and a break down to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Osaka's road to the final
The fourth seed has dropped just two sets in her first six matches and needed her very best to edge past 28th seed Jennifer Brady in Thursday's semifinal.
Azarenka's road to the final
After three convincing wins to begin the tournament, the Belarusian needed three sets to knock out 20th seed Karolina Muchova in the fourth round and Serena Williams in the semifinals after dropping the first set 6-1.
What's at stake
The winner of today's match will claim a third major title, Osaka having won the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open while Azarenka was twice the champion in Melbourne in 2012 and 2013.
Welcome, everyone!
Hello and welcome to VAVEL's coverage of the US Open women's singles final between fourth seed Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka. My name is John Lupo and i'll be guiding you through the match today.