Final Countdown: US Open 2018
LEARNING
Serena Williams is seeking her 24th Grand Slam title; Naomi Osaka is looking for her first.
LOOK: 23 and counting - Serena's Slam wins
The pair have played just once before - earlier this year, in Miami, when Naomi Osaka won 6-3, 6-2.
Serena Williams would become the third oldest Grand Slam finalist with victory, her 36 years and 349 days setting her behind sister Venus (37 years and 29 days when losing the 2017 Wimbledon final) and Martina Navratilova (37 years and 258 days when going down at Wimbledon in 1994).
Naomi Osaka would become the first Japanese player, male or female, to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Should Serena Williams win, she will tie Margaret Court for the most ever Grand Slam wins; the American already holds the record for the Open era.
A Naomi Osaka victory would make this year the first time in 80 years that there has been four different major champions in back-to-back seasons.
Serena Williams has won 23 of her 30 previous Grand Slam singles finals.
The first Japanese Slam finalist, Naomi Osaka, at 20, is also the youngest US Open finalist in nine years, since Caroline Wozniacki made the final weekend in 2009 at the age of 19 years and 64 days. Maria Sharapova was the last player younger than Osaka to win the title, taking the 2006 crown at 19.
Naomi Osaka has dropped just 28 games at this year's tournament, the fewest since Serena Williams (26) en route to the 2014 showpiece.
Only at the 1991 US Open final (Winner Monica Seles 17 years and 45 days younger than Martina Navratilova) has there been a bigger age gap between Open-era Slam finalists. Serena Williams is 16 years and 20 days older than Naomi Osaka.
TRENDING
“Did Momma win?” pic.twitter.com/DldSLLVtat
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 7, 2018
Une nouvelle finale de Grand Chelem 💥🔥💪🏻🙋🏼♀️🤗😘@usopen finals it is with my @TimeaBabos ! #USOpen #heretocreate #newyork 📸@corinnedubreuil pic.twitter.com/r4lwqHXjxR
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) September 7, 2018
Good Morning NY! Where are my morning people at?? ☀️ #ButFirstCoffee ☕️ kidding, I was late, so I had coffee after #NaturalEnergy 💪🏼 #SmileAndWave pic.twitter.com/xLc9FYS3Ng
— Bethanie MattekSands (@matteksands) September 7, 2018
Finals on Sunday!! 👯♀️
But first... let’s have a chat about personal space 🙄 @CoCoVandey pic.twitter.com/ErkaaVGoDP— Ash Barty (@ashbar96) September 7, 2018
Fall down 7 times, stand up 8. #backtowork pic.twitter.com/CkVG4zSsah
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) September 7, 2018
READING
Steve Tignor of tennis.com says both players are in fine form ahead of the final but tips Serena Williams to prevail.
ESPN praised Serena's versatility in her semifinal victory over Anastasija Sevastova.
The Daily Telegraph profile Naomi Osaka ahead of her debut Slam final.
Sports Illustrated preview Naomi Osaka's dream final, saying she is not there just to make up the numbers.
ORDER OF PLAY
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM
Play starts at noon
B Mattek-Sands (USA) / J Murray (GBR) v A Rosolska (POL) / N Mektic (CRO)
Not before 4pm
S. Williams (USA) [17] v N Osaka (JPN) [20]
WATCHING
