Third set: * Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 4-2 Azarenka

Azarenka leads 15-all, then 15-30 into a mandatory service game. Another steep forehand of Osaka, which Vika could not handle, made it 15-40, and Osaka has two break points. Azarenka saves both in quick order, but Osaka won for the third chance at a break at the next point. She defends it when Osaka loses the cross-court backhand winner. Another marathon extends through a few deuce points until Osaka knocks out another backhand winner for a fourth break-point opportunity. After 10 minutes, Azarenka is able to face it and escape, closing it with a second-serve ace of 91 mph.

Third set: Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 4-1 Azarenka *

Love-40 and the triple break point on her serve is a very loose service game for the fast-moving Osaka. But she replaces the three of them with a forehand winner and an irreversible pair, and then happily grabs Deuce. What an escape! That barrier from Love-40 could be the decisive moment for two games away from the Osaka title. She’s a good customer, that’s Naomi. But we already knew that.

Osaka crashed in the fourth game of the third set!

Third set: * Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 3-1 Azarenka

Azarenka drops to 15-30 on his serve and then mixes in the second double error of the day at 15-40 and a double break point. With her 23rd win (against 19 forced errors) she defends the first, but at the end of the 16-stroke rally Osaka gets a break with a punishing backhand winner and Azarenka is unable to return through the net. The 2018 US Open champion leads in this third decisive set.

Third set: Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 2-1 Azarenka *

Osaka easily catches up from Love-15 and ends the game with the sixth ace. She scored 80 percent of the first-serve points in the third set, 65 percent in the second and 44 percent in the first.

Third set: * Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 1-1 Azarenka

“Come on!” Azarenka, who pumps herself up with a couple of people, answers with a grip like a business of her own. Reminders after the winners.

Third set: Osaka 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 Azarenka *

Osaka were happy to open the third set, ending the game with 23 and 24 winners (against 18 forced errors). They have won seven of their last eight games. Complete 180.

Osaka crashed in the ninth game of the second set!

Second set: Osaka 1-6, 6-3 Azarenka

Osaka pushes Azarenka from 40-15 to Deuce, then crosses a backhand from the baseline and goes into the break and sets the point. She saves it with the help of another Osaka forced bug, only to get another break chance for Osaka after a few deuce points. This time Osaka converts from the baseline to the best backhand winner, breaking into a marathon game with 16 points in nine minutes, and we go to a decision.

Second Set: Osaka 1-6, 5-3 Azarenka *

Osaka found his serve. She pushes to 30-all but goes down the pipe at 112 mph, and then the backhand winner is also on point. Azarenka will now help stay in the second set.

Osaka crashed in the seventh game of the second set!

Second set: * Osaka 1-6, 4-3 Azarenka

Lasting a moment in an Azarenka service game, she quickly falls in love -40. She defends the first one with a large forehand that Osaka can’t return to, but surpasses a backhand about the approach, and now Osaka is on a break.

Second Set: Osaka 1-6, 3-3 Azarenka *

Osaka winds through Love Hold, Going Service Winner, Service Winner, Forehand Winner and 107 MPH Ace Out.

Second set: * Osaka 1-6, 2-3 Azarenka

Azarenka gives his most impressive hold so far by smashing a pair of jeeps and an 82-mile second-serve winner.

Second Set: Osaka 1-6, 2-2 Azarenka *

Osaka holds on to the Love-15, with a pair of 109 mph to unify the 2-all interval. Osaka serves an average speed of 12 mph faster than Azarenka, but she received only 70% on first serve (compared to 90% for Vika).

Osaka crashed in the third game of the second set!

Second set: * Osaka 1-6, 1-2 Azarenka

Osaka moves back to 40-30 on the serve of Azarenka, who has already beaten three winners in the game. But Osaka wins it with a forehand win, and then Azarenka split a forehand that could not handle the first break point of the match. She converts it with the help of Azarenka’s fourth forced error of the set – after scoring only three in the entire opener.

Azarenka collapsed in the second game of the second set!

Second Set: Osaka 1-6, 0-2 Azarenka *

Osaka’s bad day in office was a bad turnaround, as she gave Azarenka two points for a break in the 2-romance, at -15 and 15-40 serves behind the romance. Osaka saves the first one at 93 mph in the afternoon. But Azarenka converts to a backhand winner at the following point, leading them in the second set.

Azarenka collapsed in the seventh game of the first set!

First set: Osaka 1-6 Azarenka

Osaka was at number 13 on his serve, and soon Azarenka was three points from the set. Osaka responds with a backhand winner and a 93 MPH service winner, only for Azarenka to push it into the deuce. In the 26th minute, Azarenka ended the set by beating Osaka for the third time.

First set: * Osaka 1-5 Azarenka

Osaka keeps the opener away, adding tenth and eleventh forced errors to put Azarenka 40-15. Osaka pushes into the deuce with an Azarenka error, and then a forehand volleyball winner to fix a 10-shot rally. But Azarenka easily catches up from there to secure the break, helping Osaka stay in the first set.

Azarenka crashed in the fifth game of the first set!

First Set: Osaka 1-4 Azarenka *

After Osaka’s eighth forced error (against two winners) Azarenka takes it to Osaka’s serve in the 30th over. Osaka adds his second double mistake for the break point … and Azarenka converts it when Osaka pushes a forehand too early in a baseline rally. After 17 minutes, Vika scored a double. We’m very regular to see Osaka in this tournament (or in her previous two Grand Slam finals).

First set: * Osaka 1-3 Azarenka

Azarenka stands in front after the wind blows into another easy hold. She scored eight of the nine points on her serve.

First Set: Osaka 1-2 Azarenka *

Osaka makes the sixth error of the afternoon on a baseline forehand 15-all, but takes the next three points to the serve, takes the right path and climbs on board.

First set: * Osaka 0-2 Azarenka

Azarenka comfortably supports the break with a romantic relationship. A good start to her first major final in seven years.

Azarenka crashed in the first game of the first set!

First Set: Osaka 0-1 Azarenka *

At the end of the 12-stroke baseline rally begins a scratchy service game for Osaka, which opens without error from the forehand. At the next point she hits a baseline winner, quickly going down to 15-40, giving Azarenka a pair of early break-point chances. She saves the first of them, but gives Azarenka a break with the second forehand misfire.

The players are finishing their warm-up matches and we should be there by the minute. Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old black boy who was shot by Cleveland police in 2014, appeared in Osaka court wearing a mask. A two-week tribute.

Welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for today’s US Open women’s singles final Naomi Osaka Victoria Azarenka. Two of the hottest stars on Sania’s tour have resumed sports after a five – month hiatus – two former World 1s and two two – time Grand Slam champions – minutes from each court taking on a third life title.

Let’s see how today’s finalists compare. Osaka Took a 2-1 lead At the head of the all-time greats who won their latest meeting at last year’s French Open. They were due to visit for the fourth time in the final of the Western & Southern Open last week, but Osaka withdrew due to a left wrist injury.