Osaka Beats Azarenka, Wins Her 2nd US Open Title

Naomi Osaka won the U.S. Open title after she beat Belarus's Victoria Azarenka in three sets, claiming the title for the second time in three years.

The Japanese player won 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 inside a near-empty Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows, claiming the third Grand Slam title of her career after her victories at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open.

Osaka, 22 years old, had beaten the 31 year-old Azarenka with the tournament being held on solid ground with no fans attendance due to health and safety restrictions of COVID-19.

Osaka said after the match: "I just thought it would be very embarrassing to lose this in under an hour so I just have to try as hard as I can and stop having a really bad attitude,".

She told Azarenka jokingly "I don't want to play with you in any more finals, I didn't really enjoy that, it was a really tough match for me".

"It was really inspiring for me because I used to watch you play here when I was young. I learned a lot, so thank you.", she added.

This is the third US Open final that Azarenka loses; she had lost before in 2012 and 2013.