US Open 2018: 5 things to know about first-time Grand Slam finalist Naomi Osaka

With a 6-3, 6-0 win over Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, Serena Williams entered the 31st Grand Slam final of her illustrious career at the US Open 2018. It is astonishing to see her keep on adding to her achievements even at the age of 36. This latest Major final will be the ninth occasion for Serena to be a contender for the US Open title.

Images of Serena winning the title as a 17-year-old are being circulated over the internet and it is a testimony to arguably the greatest female star the game has ever seen.

But the interesting fact about the final is that Serena will come up against a player who was 2 years old when Serena won her first title. Yes, we are talking about Naomi Osaka. The World No. 19 has so much resemblance to a young Serena, in terms of the the power game, tracer-bullet like serve and some bright clothing.

Osaka moved to the States from Japan when she was 3, but she represents the latter, the birthplace of her mother, in the international circuit.

After her convincing 6-2, 6-4 win over last year’s finalist Madison Keys, she was asked how she managed to save each of the 13 break points she faced. Her answer was, "This is gonna sound really bad, but I was just thinking I really wanna play Serena.”

Here we look at few things that define Osaka:

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1. She has faced Serena before on the court

The prodigy will face her inspiration

The only time Osaka met Serena on the court was this year in March where she defeated the 23-time Grand Slam champion, 6-3, 6-2, in Miami. It was Williams's second tournament after her comeback from a maternity leave.

The interesting fact here is that she and her sister were encouraged to take up tennis as a sport by their father after having watched the Williams sisters live at the 1999 French Open. The fact, that it was Serena's career that opened up the path for many to follow her, will make this final even more important.

2. She is a huge Pokemon fan

Naomi Osaka won the Indian Wells title in March this year

Osaka cried on the court after winning her tough Round of 16 match against Aryna Sabalenka in three tight sets. "I was just thinking, 'I have to fight for every point; even if I break a leg I should try to get to every ball'," Osaka said in the post-match press conference.

Her victory speeches have been a thing of discussion. Two years ago, she was asked a question in a news conference about her career ambitions and she responded by saying, "To be the very best, like no-one ever was."

Realising she had caused confusion, she added: "That's a Pokemon quote, I'm sorry. That's the Pokemon theme song."

3. Her sister is also a tennis player

Naomi (left) with her sister Mari

Mari Osaka, Naomi's older sister, is also a pro-tennis player, who also represents Japan. Just like the Williams sisters, the Osaka sisters also practice together and Naomi has said it many times that her sister's presence on the circuit does help her.

Mari is currently ranked No. 367 in the world, her progress having been stalled by injury.

Like Serena and Venus, the Osakas learned the game on public courts and were coached by their father. On numerous occasions, the two sisters have been compared with the Williams sisters and have been expected to make waves in the tennis circuit.

4. She Loves Serena Williams

Even her fashion sense is inspired by Serena

Osaka, who grew up idolizing Serena Williams, has never shied away from admitting her huge admiration for the 23-time Grand Slam champion. She even took a famous selfie with Serena at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford four years ago, where she made a mark as a 16-year-old.

After her semi-final victory over Keys on Thursday, the 20-year-old said that she “loves” Serena.

In fact, when she was asked about her driving influence behind the 13 break points that she saved against Keys, she said that she really wanted to face Serena Williams in the final and that was the only thing she was thinking about in the semi-final match.

5. First Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final in Open Era

A big day for Japan

Osaka is one of several young mixed-race athletes who are challenging Japan's image as a racially homogeneous country. Her win in the final will really be great for more inclusiveness in Japan.

By winning the semis, she created history for her country as she became the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the Open Era. One major newspaper even hailed her as "a new heroine Japan can be proud of".

She thus emulated countryman Kei Nishikori's feat, four years after the Japanese made it to the US Open final after a sensational run.