Osaka Lifts the Crown for the Second Time as Thiem Creates History

Pratheek. S

15th September 2020

Naomi Osaka (in the left) and Dominic Thiem (in the right) with crowns. (Source: usopen.org)

The US Open 2020 unfolded itself into an enthralling two weeks of tennis with Naomi Osaka and Dominic Thiem taking home the silverwares after both the finals went to the final sets.

Osaka had a slow start in the final as she won only one game in the opening set; yet, she came back to win the following two sets 6-3, 6-3. She had formerly won the major in 2018, whereas the other finalist, Victoria Azarenka, ended on the losing side in the final in 2012 and 2013, adding yet another loss to her tally. Although, Azarenka first won it in 2007 in the mixed-doubles category.

Azarenka and Osaka entered the tournaments with world rankings of 27 and 10 respectively, while both of them have been number one in the past. “I just felt like I wanted to come out of quarantine and put in my 100 per cent efforts,” answered the 22-year old Japanese player when asked after her victory about her good run of form.

Despite having not gone past the fourth round in majors in the last three years, Azarenka had dropped only two sets in the tournament prior to the final. The veteran voiced a few words of inspiration to mothers around the world, “Hopefully, it inspires women to go after their dreams. I hope they know that they can do anything”.

In the men’s singles, Alexander Zverev battled out in the semi-final against Pablo Carreño Busta from two sets down to win 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; while Dominic Thiem won the other semi-final against Daniil Medvedev in straight sets for 6-2, 7-6(7), 7-6(5).

In the final, Thiem had an uncharacteristic start as his game was marred with unforced errors and faulty serves. This, in turn, led to Zverev winning the first two sets 6-2, 6-4. Similar to the women’s final, Thiem came back strong to win the following three sets to complete a stunning comeback. “I wish we could have two winners today. We both deserved it,”said the 21-year old Austrian after his first-ever victory in a grand slam final.

Thiem took it to twitter to express his emotions: “My career was like my match today - many ups and downs, and I love the way it turned out”. The tennis fraternity, including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer also took to Twitter to congratulate the winners and wished for them to carry this forward.

(Sources: @usopen - Twitter, usopen.org, @thiemdomi - Twitter)

Edited by Nayana Dhanya