US Open 2018: Osaka books final date with Serena after denying Keys

New York, September 7: Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka will meet 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams in the US Open 2018 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.

Sublime Serena Williams thunders into final

Keys was not without chances after amassing 13 break point opportunities throughout but she was unable to convert any against the impenetrable 20th seed.

The dream run continues for @Naomi_Osaka_!

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

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2018

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.

💪💪

Osaka holds after a 12 minute game to consolidate the break in the 2nd set!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/gUu2stOScd

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2018

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