Naomi Osaka followed Victoria Azarenka by one set and faced a break point that would have brought her down 3-0 in the second set of Saturday’s US Open women’s championship.
And then the 22-year-old star recovered … great.
Osaka was back in a rush to win the second and third sets to claim her third Grand Slam singles title with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.
From his performance to his defense – Osaka wore a mask named after a different black person who was the victim of racial injustice and police brutality in each of his seven US Open games – the sports world hailed the phenomenon.
GREAT COMEBACK !! congratulations @naomiosaka! ????????✊????
– LeBron James (@KingJames) 12 September 2020
Wow what a female finale! Congratulations champion @naomiosaka ???????????? and crazy respect @ vika7 on an incredible incredible return! Two strong fighters! ???????????????? @usopen
– lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) 12 September 2020
Naomi Osaka for the win !!!! ✨????
he used his platform beautifully AND he won it all … LOVE TO SEE!@naomiosaka
– Chiney Ogwumike (ine Chiney321) 12 September 2020
congratulations to @naomiosaka, 2020 @usopen female singles champion!
A tremendous final from both players, with an incredible effort of @ vika7.
Our sport keeps getting better! #USOpen https://t.co/FEKZlfE3cX
– Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) 12 September 2020
????????????????????????????????@naomiosaka ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/agyA5XqlFn
– Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) 12 September 2020
When you leave everything on the pitch and take a moment to take it all !! Well done @naomiosaka ???????????????? Keep Pushin Love ???????? We are with you ????✊???? pic.twitter.com/qRZNCDRl1v
– Swin Cash (@SwinCash) 12 September 2020
Social justice and sport mix – and quite well – congratulations @naomiosaka !!! # USOpen2020 Sample!!!
– Martina Navratilova (@Martina) 12 September 2020
???? ???????? Yasssss take a moment!
You did!
???? ????????????@NaomiOsaka wins # UsOpen2020
????????????????????????????????????
(Shout to @ vichka35 for bringing inner mom and fighting the good fight with all of your ❤️) https://t.co/h4m53cryda– nicoleariparker (@nicolearip) 12 September 2020
I want it @naomiosaka discomfort ???????? #champdna
– dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) 12 September 2020
Oh yes@naomiosaka. When asked what message he wanted to send with the masks he wore bearing the names of the black ppl killed by the police, he replies: “Well, what message did YOU receive?” #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1aaYc5SEoi
– Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) 12 September 2020
Congratulations @naomiosaka for winning the @usopen! Great fight @ vika7! You were both fantastic ???? #tennis #usopen #wta
– Shaun T (@ShaunT) 12 September 2020
Naomi Osaka is officially two-time US Open champion ???? !!!!! @ naomiosaka #USOpen https://t.co/6ujAxGBWuz
– Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) 12 September 2020
Congratulations @naomiosaka What a performance from a set in the final. Thanks for your voice and awesome tennis.
– James Blake (@JRBlake) 12 September 2020
Fighting all the way, congratulations on winning your third Grand Slam @naomiosaka. There will be many more. ???? https://t.co/Ru1lZoaRCq
– Rod Laver (@rodlaver) 12 September 2020
Very well @naomiosaka about a great fight … and what a magnificent two weeks @ vika7 proud to have witnessed all this !! @usopen @espn pic.twitter.com/4xcHsNa2sz
– Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) 12 September 2020
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