Osaka, Azarenka in US Open final; both eye 3rd Slam trophy

[ASFN Admin]

Turns out Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka have been far and away the two best women in the sport, which is why they will face each other Saturday in the U.S. Open final. Azarenka lost her very first match back but has reeled off 11 consecutive victories since, capped by a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 elimination of Serena Williams in the semifinals Thursday night. Osaka and Azarenka were supposed to meet in the final of the Western & Southern Open two weeks ago -- that tournament was moved from its usual home in Ohio to Flushing Meadows as part of a two-event ''controlled environment'' to limit travel during the pandemic -- but Osaka withdrew because of an injured left hamstring.

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