Naomi Osaka recovered from a set down to defeat Victoria Azarenka in the US Open final to claim her third Grand Slam title and cement her status - at just 22 years of age - as one the sport's greatest fighters.

Osaka weathered an awesome display from Azarenka in the opening throes of a high-quality final, hanging in there just long enough to see her opponent's level dip, and taking full advantage when it did. Shrugging off a first set demolition, Osaka recorded a 1-6 6-3 6-3 victory to claim a third Grand Slam title.

"I think I could have easily faded away, but I really wanted to fight, just compete," Osaka said later. "I wasn't really thinking about winning, I was just thinking about competing. Somehow I ended up with the trophy."

That outcome seemed far from likely after Azarenka’s red hot start. The Belarusian missed just one first serve and broke Osaka three times to take the opening set for the loss of just one game.

Osaka admitted to nerves in the first set, but in truth she did not play that badly. Azarenka dictated nearly every point - and a further break for the two-time Australian Open champion seemed to indicate that this would be a cakewalk. Not since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario defeated Steffi Graf in 1994 had a US Open women's singles final been won by the player who lost the opening set.

But Osaka has proved this fortnight that she knows how to outlast an opponent, with three of her six matches en route to the final going the distance. She hit back straight away to regain the break, and earned the crucial break for herself in the seventh game of the set. She would follow it up with a further break of the Azarenka serve two games later to level things up.

With momentum now flowing Osaka’s way, she broke the Belarusian's serve once more to take the initiative in the decider. And although the pair would exchange breaks again in the seventh and eighth games, Osaka held firm when it mattered most. She served out confidently for victory, clinching it when Azarenka netted a backhand.

"I feel like two years ago I maybe would have folded being down a set and a break," she reflected later. "But I think all the matches that I played in between that time shaped me and made me or forced me to mature more. Especially all the matches that I've played here were very tough.

"I think definitely I'm more of a complete player now. I feel like I'm more aware of what I'm doing."

The great shame of this final was that there were not more people inside Arthur Ashe Stadium to see it. Even in defeat, Azarenka produced some world-beating tennis at times, and she was keen to take the positives from a three-week stay in New York that saw her win the title at the Western and Southern Open in addition to her runner-up finish this evening.

"I think it's definitely been a great three weeks of tennis. I haven't had such results in quite a long time, so I'm very excited for it," she said. "Today, it's a loss. As I said, it doesn't change for me much. Of course, I would have loved to win today. It is what it is."

The last month has certainly seen the former world No. 1 display form reminiscent of her two Australian Open victories of 2012 and 2013. Of course, she also reached the final at the US Open in those two years as well, and a win at the third time of asking clearly would have been particularly sweet.

"I thought third time is a charm, but I've got to try again," she smiled. "That's what I'm going to do."

Having added to her wins at the US Open in 2018 and Australian Open in 2019, Osaka now has more Grand Slam triumphs than all but four active female players (Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Angelique Kerber).

She has also proved that she has influence far beyond the court. Osaka has used her platform to highlight the injustices suffered by people of colour in the US and around the world while in New York over the last few weeks. She joined athletes from other sports in stopping play for 24 hours in the week of the Western and Southern Open, and wore a face mask bearing the name of a black American who died at the hands of the police ahead of each of her US Open matches.

Tennis is of little importance compared to such issues, but Osaka has already proved to be adept at using the fame earned through her on-court performances to become a powerful advocate for social justice. Her demeanour, however, suggests that she remains slightly uneasy accepting the plaudits that come her way for her tennis.

"I guess I'll celebrate this win just by processing it more," she said after the final. "I think the last two [Grand Slam victories] I wasn't able to process it. I'm just surrounded by my team, people that I like, love."

"I feel like hopefully the more times I win Grand Slams, I'll be able to, you know, celebrate better."

With the level she has exhibited over the past two weeks it seems certain that this extraordinary 22-year-old will have plenty more practice at celebrating in future.