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Naomi Osaka wins maiden US Open title after Serena Williams implodes with anger

Williams fails to move level with Margaret Court after highly charged final at Flushing Meadows

Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the championship trophy after winning the Women's Singles finals match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Image: Naomi Osaka won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open

Naomi Osaka thwarted Serena Williams' attempts to seal a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title at US Open with a 6-2 6-4 victory in Saturday's final.

Williams imploded in a furious tirade against chair umpire Carlos Ramos, calling him a "thief", having already docked her a point, leading to a game penalty as she went down in shocking circumstances.

With light rain falling, tournament organisers announced the roof would be closed for the duration of the final, which favoured Williams who walked out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium to a thunderous ovation.

In the battle of youth against experience, Osaka was giving away 30 major finals and 16 years of experience, but she came out with a fearless attacking style of play and she showed no signs of nerves to earn the first break of serve after Williams double-faulted in the third game.

Serena accuses umpire of sexism
Serena accuses umpire of sexism

Serena Williams accuses umpire Carlos Ramos of 'sexist remark'

Serena Williams of the United States argues with umpire Carlos Ramos during her Women's Singles finals match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City
Image: Williams was given three code violations by chair umpire Carlos Ramos, the third leading to an automatic loss of a game in the second set

For 20-year-old Osaka, this was her first taste of a Grand Slam final but she stood up to powerhouse Williams, whose first-serve percentage dipped alarmingly, as she broke through again two games later.

Although Williams stopped the run of games against her at five to hold for 5-2, it was Osaka who confidently served out the set in 34 minutes.

Williams then stoked the fire after she was given a violation for illegal coaching by Patrick Mouratoglou early in the second set.

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"I don't cheat to win. I'd rather lose," she told umpire Ramos, before channelled her anger towards the Indian Wells champion as she opened up a break-point opportunity in the fourth game, which Osaka saved following an outstanding 19-shot rally.

Osaka: Sorry it had to end like this
Osaka: Sorry it had to end like this

Naomi Osaka shocked by Serena Williams' spectacular meltdown at US Open final

Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball during her Women's Singles finals match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Osaka, who stunned her idol in the first round at the Miami Open earlier this year in straight sets, saved two more chances but was unable to withstand a third as an unforced error handed Williams a 3-1 lead.

She was, however, unable to capitalise as Osaka hitting back immediately while Williams' anger bubbled to boiling point. The American suffered an extraordinary meltdown after smashing her racket, which handed her a second code violation, meaning a point penalty by which point the boos and jeers were deafening.

Osaka maintained her nerves and wrapped up a hold to love to level up at 3-3 in what was turning into a dramatic encounter.

"You owe me an apology," said Williams, who resumed the argument with Ramos. "I have never cheated in my life!"

Serena: Let's not boo anymore
Serena: Let's not boo anymore

Serena Williams pleaded with crowd to stop booing during US Open trophy presentation

Naomi Osaka of Japan (R) and Serena Williams of the US meet at the net after their 2018 US Open women's singles final match on September 8, 2018 in New York. - Osaka, 20, triumphed 6-2, 6-4 in the match marred by Williams's second set outburst, the American enraged by umpire Carlos Ramos's warning for receiving coaching from her box.
Image: Williams congratulates Osaka on her victory

Osaka went on to claim her third game in a row by which time Williams lost all her composure, prompting a further verbal attack accusing Ramos of being a "thief" for taking a point away from her and he gave her a third violation, docking a game.

Williams said after the match: "For me to say 'thief' and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark."

Williams held her next service game, but the damage had already been done and Osaka kept her head down to serve out the match and become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.

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