Naomi Osaka faces a far more daunting task: Playing against her hero in the US Open final.
US Open champion Naomi Osaka grew up dreaming of competing against Serena Williams in a Grand Slam final but never would have dared to go as far as to think her idol would be reduced to tears in a drama-filled match.
Venus Williams also went the distance before claiming a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Croatia's Donna Vekic.
Osaka said her dominance in the rematch showed how much better she had become at sticking to a plan rather than relying on her instincts.
Naomi Osaka is happy to be lost in her virtual world.
Two-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the US Open final for the second time in her career with a 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3 victory over big-hitting Jennifer Brady.
US Open champion Naomi Osaka continued to flourish in front of her home crowd at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, as she comfortably dispatched Barbora Strycova 6-3, 6-4 on Friday to reach the semi-finals.
Ostapenko said on Instagram that her anger stemmed from Townsend's refusal to apologise for benefiting from a net cord -- when the American's shot clipped the net and stayed in play -- and accused her of being disrespectful.
Naomi Osaka's career could be in danger because of her mental health issues, according to six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker.
Osaka remains on course for glory at Melbourne Park after blowing away Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-1 to set up a last four clash with Czech Karolina Pliskova in the year's first Grand Slam.
'How many young people do you know who would be comfortable addressing or being questioned by a roomful of very much older strangers?' 'She (Osaka) is one of a very exciting batch of young female players and I am a big fan of hers. I hope with all my heart that she can find a way of feeling more at home in this sport.'
Japan's Osaka ended the stand-off with the French tennis federation (FFT) by withdrawing from the claycourt major
Bumrah (6/16) rattled the West Indies by picking up the first five wickets, three of which came in successive balls in the ninth over.
Seven times Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton called on Thursday for more support for young athletes and lauded tennis player Naomi Osaka for being 'incredibly brave' for her stance on mental health.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe congratulated Osaka on Twitter and thanked her for 'giving Japan a boost of inspiration at this time of hardship'
IMAGES from the Australian Open matches played on Thursday
Images from the US Open matches played at Flushing Meadows on Saturday
Novak Djokovic will prepare for a tilt at an 11th Australian Open title by representing Serbia at the United Cup mixed team tournament while old rival Rafael Nadal and former women's world number one Naomi Osaka return at Brisbane after time away.
Organisers confirmed Osaka had withdrawn due to a left ankle injury and her opponent Sara Sorribes Tormo will now face lucky loser Nuria Parrizas Diaz.
Naomi Osaka, winner of the past two Grand Slam tournaments, has parted ways with her coach Sascha Bajin.
Japan continued to maintain a keen interest in both singles tournaments at Wimbledon after Kei Nishikori advanced to the third round with a win over Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky on Wednesday and Naomi Osaka followed suit in the women's draw.
Naomi Osaka has faced a backlash on social media after throwing her support behind the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody on May 25.
Naomi Osaka defeated Serena Williams 6-2, 6-4 in a dramatic women's singles final at the US Open to claim her first career Grand Slam title on Saturday.
Osaka will bid for her second Grand Slam title in succession against twice Wimbledon champion Kvitova on Saturday, having claimed her maiden major in New York last year by upsetting Serena Williams in the final.
Osaka was less than impressed with one social media user who wrote "Boooooooooooo" on the event's official page as it announced the match was about to start.
'This has been an emotional week and I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support.'
World number one Aryna Sabalenka reached the last 16 at the Miami Open when Elena-Gabriela Ruse retired injured on Saturday, while men's top seed Alexander Zverev beat Jacob Fearnley 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round.
World number one Naomi Osaka lost in three sets to unseeded Swiss Belinda Bencic in the Madrid Open quarter-finals on Thursday as Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens and Kiki Bertens completed the final four line-up.
'I don't know how the hell he moved with these shoes. Honestly, I can't imagine sliding in these.'
French Open champion Gauff is in line for a clash with fellow American Jessica Pegula.
Three-time US Open champion Djokovic, who comes into the tournament having won his fifth Wimbledon title, is followed in the seedings by 2017 winner Rafael Nadal.
Osaka lost her number one ranking and crashed out at Wimbledon in the first round to Yulia Putintseva.
Former world number one Karolina Pliskova utilised her big serve to full effect to ease to a 6-4, 6-4 victory over home favourite and U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo on Sunday.
Naomi Osaka is no longer a shy, introvert youngster and the newest Grand Slam winner in women's tennis says she owes her maturity to last year's US Open triumph.
French Tennis Federation (FFT) President Gilles Moretton described Osaka's action as a "phenomenal mistake".
Petra Kvitova takes on Naomi Osaka in Saturday's Australian Open final with one of them set to emerge as a fresh champion at Melbourne Park as well as the new world number one.
Naomi Osaka ended Victoria Azarenka's dream run to claim her second US Open title in three years with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 comeback win on Saturday which cemented her status as the sport's leading light both on and off the court.
There was not an ounce of bitterness as Osaka accepted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup from Asia's first Grand Slam champion Li Na
Naomi Osaka has witnessed a huge change in her career after claiming a maiden Grand Slam title in 2018, but the rising star of women's tennis will not be changing her quirky personality in media appearances that has endeared her to so many.
The 21-year-old is looking to become just the 11th woman to claim a third consecutive Grand Slam title.
