Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka will meet 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams in the US Open final after accounting for last year's runner-up Madison Keys on Thursday.
Osaka has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the WTA Tour after claiming the Indian Wells Masters, while the 20-year-old's power has seen her compared to former world number one and American great Williams.
Now Osaka has the chance to claim a first major title after reaching her maiden slam final by defeating 14th seed Keys 6-2 6-4 in New York.
Keys was not without chances after amassing 13 break point opportunities throughout but she was unable to convert any against the impenetrable 20th seed.
MORE: Sublime Serena Williams crushes Anastasija Sevastova to move into final
The dream run continues for @Naomi_Osaka_!
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2018
She becomes the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open era after defeating Keys 6-2, 6-4!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/7kKVkKZupe
Williams – seeking to match Margaret Court's record of 24 slam crowns – stands in Osaka's way, though the latter has already stunned the superstar in Miami earlier this year.
It was a battle between the big hitters on Arthur Ashe Stadium and neither was really threatened on serve until Osaka almost cracked first in the fourth game.
Keys raced out to 0-40 before Osaka sensationally dug herself out of that hole to hold.
And that triggered Osaka, who then broke Keys in the very next game for a 3-2 lead before fending off another pair of break points to consolidate at 4-2.
Keys – uncharacteristically struggling on serve – had earned six break points chances without converting and that deflated the American, who was eventually swept aside by Osaka in the opening set.
It was more of the same in the second set as Keys' woes continued, the Australian and French Open semi-finalist broken in the first game.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2018
Osaka holds after a 12 minute game to consolidate the break in the 2nd set!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/gUu2stOScd
Keys should have broken back immediately but Osaka had all the answers, surviving six break points in a marathon game lasting more than 12 minutes.
Osaka remained patient against the rallying Keys, who could not cash in on her opportunities at Flushing Meadows, as the former became the first Japanese woman in the Open era to reach a slam singles final.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Osaka [20] bt Keys [14] 6-2 6-4
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Osaka – 13/20
Keys – 23/32
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Osaka – 2/1
Keys – 3/0
BREAK POINTS WON
Osaka – 3/4
Keys – 0/13
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Osaka – 70
Keys – 72
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Osaka – 64/58
Keys – 68/38
TOTAL POINTS
Osaka – 73
Keys – 61