Naomi Osaka wins US Open title as Serena Williams BLASTS umpire in controversial final
NAOMI OSAKA has become Japan's first Grand Slam winner after beating Serena Williams 6-2 6-4 in a dramatic final.
US Open: Naomi Osaka beats Williams in the women's final
Despite being in her first Grand Slam final, Osaka showed little nerves racing into a 5-1 lead in the first set.
Osaka won the set 6-2 and both players made an even start to the second set but it exploded when umpire Carlos Ramos gave Williams a code violation for coaching from her box.
Williams then confronted the umpire claiming she doesn't cheat but after dropping serve at 4-3 she smashed her racket leading to a point penalty.
The 36-year-old then called the umpire a thief which led to a game penalty and that allowed Osaka to serve out the match and win her first Grand Slam.
Serena Williams vs Naomi Osaka AS IT HAPPENED
Second Set (*denotes server)
Williams 2-6 4-6 Osaka*
Osaka forehand winner 15-0. Williams forehand winner 15-15. Big Osaka serve 30-15. Ace Osaka 40-15.
Williams backhand winner 40-30. Osaka service winner. GAME. SET. MATCH.
Williams* 2-6 4-5 Osaka
Williams holds to love. Osaka will serve for the US Open title.
Williams 2-6 3-5 Osaka*
Incredible scenes as Williams fumes at the umpire again. She calls the umpire a thief and receives a game violation.
The court supervisor comes onto court and Williams bemoans the situation calling it "unfair".
Williams* 2-6 3-4 Osaka
30-30. Sensational backhand down the line for a break point. And Osaka passes her to break.
Williams 2-6 3-3 Osaka*
"I didn't get coaching. You owe me an apology" Williams fumes at the umpire.
But Osaka doesn't blink and holds to love.
Williams* 2-6 3-2 Osaka
30-30. Back to back double faults give Osaka a break point chance. And Williams puts a backhand into the net.
Williams smashes her racket on the court and receives another violation. That means a point penalty in the next game.
Williams 2-6 3-1 Osaka*
Osaka has done a terrific job on defence. But she nets a backhand to give Williams a break point.
What a point!! A 19 shot rally ends with a blistering forehand down the line from Osaka.
Rare unforced error by Osaka makes it deuce. Another break point as Osaka nets a forehand. And she delivers a huge ace, her fourth of the match.
Third break point but Williams goes long with a forehand. Advantage Williams after a backhand return winner.
And Williams finally gets through. Huge moment in the match.
Williams* 2-6 2-1 Osaka
An 18th unforced error by Williams gives Osaka a break point. But Williams saves it as she gets Osaka on the run.
Gorgeous dropshot by Williams to catch Osaka out. And she holds on as Osaka nets with a backhand.
Williams 2-6 1-1 Osaka*
Williams is really struggling to keep the court on the court. Bit of controversy as Serena Williams gets a code violation for coaching.
Williams then says to the umpire: "I don't cheat to win. I'd rather lose."
Osaka keeps her focus though and holds serve again.
Williams* 2-6 1-0 Osaka
Better serving from Williams to get 40-15 up. And she holds serve as Osaka mishits a forehand return.
Ana Ivanovic on Twitter: "Amazing performance by Osaka so far!! So strong and composed."
First Set: Williams 2-6 Osaka*
A 14th unforced error by Williams hands Osaka two set points.
Big serve by Osaka and Williams puts her return into the net.
The 20-year-old is one set away from history.
Williams* 2-5 Osaka
Williams double faults again to slip to 0-30. Her serve is way off today but she rediscovers it to go 40-30 ahead.
And she survives this service game to end Osaka's four-game streak.
Williams 1-5 Osaka*
Both women trading huge forehand winners in this game. Break point after another Williams forehand winner.
Osaka ace, back to deuce. Second break point as Osaka nets a backhand. Poor backhand by Williams into the net.
Williams with a backhand long. Another backhand error by Williams gives Osaka a commanding lead.
Williams* 1-4 Osaka
Third double fault of the match for Williams makes it 30-30. Then Williams goes long with a forehand. Break point.
Williams into the net. Double break for Osaka. What a start for the 20-year-old.
Williams 1-3 Osaka*
A wide serve clips the line and flies away from Williams for an ace to win the game. Five unforced errors from Williams already.
Williams* 1-2 Osaka
First break of serve goes to Osaka after a shock double fault by Williams. Osaka has looked nerveless so far.
Williams 1-1 Osaka*
This time it is Osaka who falls 0-30 down. But just like Williams did, Osaka fights back with some massive ball striking.
Osaka's mum Tamaki lifts her hands up to applaud her daughter.
Williams* 1-0 Osaka
Double fault sees Williams slip to 0-30. Huge roar as Williams gets level with a huge forehand and unreturned serve.
Another big serve and forehand make 40-30. Deuce. Second ace of the match gives Williams the advantage.
And the American takes the opening game with a backhand down the line.
21:15 Williams to serve first.
21:05: A host of stars are here for the final including Oprah, Kevin Hart, Lindsey Vonn and Pierce Brosnan.
20:45: Play is due to get underway at 9pm. In the meantime, read our preview of the final here
20:30: Welcome to LIVE coverage of the US Open final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.