Naomi Osaka served a record 18 aces as she beat Belinda Bencic to reach the Miami Open final. Bencic, who had defeated Osaka three times in a row leading into the contest, made the stronger start of the two and took the first set 6-4. But the unseeded Osaka, who received a wildcard for this tournament, battled back to take the next two sets and seal victory in two hours, six minutes. The Japanese star is still searching for her first trophy since the 2021 Australian Open but will have the chance to claim her eighth career title when she meets Iga Swiatek on Saturday. 

A record number of aces 

Osaka may have started the semi-final slowly, however, she grew in confidence as the match progressed. 

Her impressive serve was a feature of her play and it has been a valuable weapon for her all-tournament so far. 

In total, Osaka served 18 aces –– the most in a single match for any player on tour this season –– eclipsing the 17 Ashleigh Barty hit against Sofia Kenin in Adelaide. 

What’s even more pleasing is that the numbers show this part of the 24-year-old’s game is improving match-by-match. 

In the first round against Astra Sharma, Osaka served just two aces. Then, in the second round, that number was six, followed by seven in the fourth round and 13 in the quarter-finals. 

If Osaka maintains this pattern of form, then we’re in for quite a final. 

The old Osaka is back 

It’s been over a year since Osaka last competed in a final, and some wondered whether she’d ever rediscover the same level which led her to become a four-time Grand Slam champion. 

The former world number one struggled with mental health problems and faced further challenges only last month when she was subject to heckling from a member of the crowd at Indian Wells. 

Yet, Osaka has now reeled off five consecutive victories and has dropped just one set all tournament. 

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Naomi Osaka of Japan returns a shot to Astra Sharma of Australia during the 2022 Miami Open presented by Itaú at Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Her serve has improved, her groundstrokes are more precise and as proven against Bencic, she had the ability to find another level when required. 

This weekend’s final against Swiatek will no doubt prove to be a much tougher test than any she has encountered so far in Miami, but the Japanese icon now has that fear factor again. 

Taking to Twitter after the match against Bencic, Osaka wrote: “​​Man idk [I don’t know] what’s going on but I’m just so grateful right now. Cheers to the ups and downs of life for making me appreciate this moment even more. We’re back in a final, see you on Saturday.”

An epic final in store

Osaka and Swiatek are great friends off the court and the two posted a heartwarming video of themselves arguing about ice cream flavours. 

But on Saturday, their friendship will be put to one side in what looks set to be a thrilling final. 

Swiatek is the new number one in waiting and beat America’s Jessica Pegula to reach her third final in a row, having won at Indian Wells and the Qatar Open.

The Polish star has now won 16 matches on the bounce, 18 consecutive sets and is the first player to reach the final of both American hard-court events since Victoria Azarenka in 2016.

It’s the final many tennis fans were hoping for and is exactly what the women’s game needs, after the sudden retirement of Ashleigh Barty next week. 

On paper, it’s Swiatek who must surely be the favourite. But Osaka has won four major titles, and has never lost in a WTA 1000 event.