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TENNIS-USA-OPEN-OSAKA
‘I love you’, Osaka tells US Open final opponent Serena
NEW YORK, Sept 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Naomi Osaka told US Open title opponent
Serena Williams “I love you” just moments after she became the first Japanese
womam to reach a Grand Slam final.
The 20-year-old breakout star of the tournament swept into the record books
and Saturday’s championship match against the 23-time major winner with a 6-
2, 6-4 win over Madison Keys, the runner-up in 2017.
When asked on court what she told herself as she served for the match, she
said: “Don’t double fault”.
“Why,” asked the interviewer. “Serena,” replied the charismatic Osaka.
“I love you, Serena,” she added before adding “I love you, mom; I love
everybody”.
Osaka has met and defeated Williams once — at Miami in March.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0904 HRS