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Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka will each be trying to seize a 3rd Grand Slam title once they conflict within the remaining of the behind-closed-doors US Open on Saturday. For Osaka, the fourth seed, it will be a 3rd tennis main trophy in two years. For Azarenka, a former world primary, it will be a primary since 2013. It’s a matchup between one of many sport’s younger stars, going from energy to energy, and a veteran whose profession is rejuvenated after a number of years within the doldrums.
The 22-year-old Osaka, her profile quickly rising as a result of a mix of highly effective tennis and Black Lives Matter activism, says she’s higher ready than when she shocked Serena Williams within the 2018 US Open remaining.
“I would say I feel like my mindset is much different this time around,” stated Japan’s Osaka, following her three-set semi-final win over American Jennifer Brady.
“I feel like I’ve learned so much through the ups and downs, not even counting the finals, but just regular tour tournaments.
“I’d say mentally I really feel stronger. I really feel fitter now. It’s going to be fascinating to see what occurs,” Osaka added.
Osaka, of Japanese and Haitian heritage, is wearing different masks honoring victims of racial injustice and police brutality throughout the tournament.
The 2019 Australian Open champion has donned face coverings bearing the names of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd and Philando Castile.
She will wear another on Saturday for the Arthur Ashe showdown, which will take place without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I do suppose it is a very large motivating issue for me simply to attempt to, like, get the names out to as many individuals as I can,” Osaka stated.
Azarenka, 31, is brimming with confidence after coming from a set down to stun her old rival Williams and book a third US Open final.
It will be her first appearance in the final of a tennis major since Williams beat her in the last-two of the US Open in 2013.
‘More fun’
The Belarusian also suffered a heartbreaking loss to Williams in the 2012 US Open, when she served for the match at 5-3 in the third set only to lose 7-5.
Azarenka’s two major titles came at the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013.
She has endured a difficult few years. Injury plagued 2014 and 2015 before her career was further disrupted by a custody battle over her son, born in December 2016.
Azarenka is back up to 27th in the rankings though, and is enjoying a fairytale run at the US Open after claiming last month’s Western and Southern Open tune-up event in New York.
If she defeats Osaka then she will become only the fourth women — after Belgium’s Kim Clijsters, Court and fellow Australian Evonne Goolagong — to win Grand Slam singles titles in the Open era after having children.
Azarenka says she is benefitting from a more Zen outlook on life and revelling in the fact that few commentators expected the unseeded player to mount a challenge.
“Mentally I’m in such a unique place. I believe seven years in the past, after I received the Australian Open… it was form of anticipated for me to be within the remaining.
“I don’t think that was the case this year. It feels more fun this year, more fulfilling, more pleasant for me.”
Osaka and Azarenka have unfinished enterprise after the Japanese pulled out of the Western & Southern remaining as a result of a hamstring damage, handing the title to Azarenka.
Promoted
“She’s a very, very powerful player,” Azarenka stated of Osaka.
“She’s a great champion. She’s won two already. Aren’t we both looking for a third one?”
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