Naomi Osaka breaks aces record to reach Miami Open final

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. 

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. 

Naomi Osaka fires 18 aces to defeat Belinda Bencic 46 63 64 in the Miami Open semifinals, the most aces in a single match this season.Osaka eclipses Ash Barty’s mark of 17 aces hit vs. Kenin in Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/PSlQCNgWOV

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. 

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