Osaka and Brady motivated by memory of US Open semi-final classic

Naomi Osaka said she ‘never had to fight so hard’ as in a 2020 US Open semi-final with Jennifer Brady. Now they meet again in the Australian Open final

Naomi Osaka has never lost a big grand slam match in her life. After piecing together another impressive run to her fourth final, her record after passing the fourth round of any major tournament now stands at 11-0.

Throughout the past two weeks in Melbourne, she has frequently been asked about that record. But each time it has been brought up, Osaka has pushed back. “It’s not really doing too much for me,” she said after her quarter-final victory over Hsieh Su-wei, shaking her head. “I would be more impressed if I didn’t lose in finals. If it says 10-0 in finals.”