TEENAGE STAR HUMBLES DEFENDING US OPEN CHAMP KERBER

The name ‘Naomi Osaka’ might come off strange to most people ahead of the major in New York.

However, the teenage star has reached the third round in all four Grand Slam events. The 19-year old has been a major force in the ‘dreamer’s category’ for over two years now.

Born in Japan but bred in America, her mother in Japanese but her father is Haitian. She has dual citizenship but chose to represent Japan. Her father Leonard Francois chose the Japanese Tennis Association ahead of the United States Tennis Association as she grew into a major athletic force in the game. She claimed there was no American competition fears as she identified with the Asian side.

The rising WTA star shocked defending US Open champs Angelique Kerber as they met in the first round. She did not just upset expectations, she dominated Kerber, beating her in straight sets: 6-3, 6-1.

The teenage star, who idolizes Serena Williams, has started towing the path of the American veteran. She has been defeating top rated stars since a tender age. She reached the third round in the Australian and French Open. She also reached the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open last September but she lost o Caroline Wozniacki. She had defeated Dominka Cibulkova, Elina Svitolina and other big shots on her way to the final.

Just like Serena defeated top 10 stars like Mary Pierce and Monica Seles in 1997, Osaka who was just born around then, has started following that path. She lost to Venus Williams in the third round of Wimbledon this season with Serena labelling her “very dangerous.”

The speed of her serve – at 125 mph – and her aggressiveness play in her advantage. As she matures and develops, there seem to be no stopping. Just like Serena.