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Under the supervision of Billie Jean King, Williams won the draw and chose to serve.
The roof will be closed for the women's final
Most of this US Open was played in the heat, but the heat wave erupted on Friday. And Saturday brought cooler temperatures and even rain. The forecast announcing a high probability of rain from late afternoon until evening, the roof of the Arthur Ashe Stadium was closed for the women's final.
Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka: lines of history
• Serena Williams is back in the US Open final for the first time in four years, a year and a week after giving birth to her daughter, Olympia.
• Williams, 36, is in his 31st grand slam final. Osaka, 20, plays for her first. She had never passed the fourth round of the major before this tournament.
• The 16-year gap between the two teams is the second most important of the Open era, behind Martina Navratilova, 34, and Monica Seles, 17, in the US final in 1991.
Credit
Chang W. Lee / The New York Times
• There will be a story at stake for both. Williams, who holds the Open record for the most Grand Slam singles titles at 23, will once again be looking to match Margaret Court's 24 total, many of which have been won on amateur sport days. Osaka, who has dual citizenship in her US home and birthplace in Japan, is looking to be the first woman to represent Japan to win a Grand Slam singles title.
• Osaka's father, Leonard Francois, was inspired by the success of the Williams sisters and raised his daughters in their footsteps, including following the Williams pattern of junior tournament jumping. Osaka has long referred to Williams as an idol. But she said of Williams on Thursday: "I should always think of another match. I should not really think of her as my idol.
• Osaka won the only previous game by beating Williams, 6-3, 6-2, in Miami. Williams, who only played her second tournament after her maternity leave, did not return to the tour for two months after the imbalanced loss.
• Williams is 15-1 in the Grand Slam events this year, retiring from the fourth round of the French Open due to a right chest injury and the Wimbledon final .
What to read before the final
• Brook Larmer's New York Times Magazine husband introduced Osaka before the beginning of the year. Open from the United States, calling her "one of the most intriguing young sports stars in the world".
• Osaka is one of the few women in professional tennis with a forehand shot over 100 miles an hour. This is how she does it.
• This final brings Williams' season back to Osaka's peak season. Christopher Clarey writes about the many connections between the two players.
• It's a strange US Open. Here is a summary of the strangeness.
• Also, look at this:
She fought for her life, for our child, for recognition, for equal pay, for women's rights. She never gives up.
I had done it for @Serena Williams Last night after his match with home videos from 1 year ago this week. Help me make sure she sees it!#iloveyouserena pic.twitter.com/OV6Zo1DBxZ–
Alexis Ohanian Sr. (@exexohanian)
Sep 7, 2018
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