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Naomi Osaka is the 2018 BNP Paribas Open champion in women’s singles

By Harry Floyd

INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 18: Naomi Osaka of Japan poses withe the trophy after her victory in the WTA final over Daria Kasatkina of Russia with her coach Sascha Bajin during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 18, 2018 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 18: Naomi Osaka of Japan poses withe the trophy after her victory in the WTA final over Daria Kasatkina of Russia with her coach Sascha Bajin during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 18, 2018 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Naomi Osaka is the 2018 BNP Paribas Open champion in women’s singles. The title win is her first ever on the WTA Tour.

Taking on Daria Kasatkina in the finals at Indian Wells, Naomi Osaka and her opponent made it sure that we would witness a new name in the winner’s circle. Kasatkina had just one singles title to her name coming into the action whereas Osaka had none.

Both players are 20-years-old. Despite being rising stars in the sport, they have been up against some of the best in the sport. It was a somewhat unexpected but thrilling final that sheds light on where the tour is heading. Both Osaka and Kasatkina proved the competition wrong this week at Indian Wells. They have each shown signs of massive talent in recent months but it’s clear that they belong in any match on the WTA Tour.

Winning in straight sets, Osaka takes home her first ever WTA singles title. Coming in as the world No. 44 in women’s singles tennis, she will jump in the rankings all the way up to the No. 22 position this week. The title win is huge for Osaka. Not only is it her first, but it’s at Indian Wells for a WTA Tour Premier win. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Naomi Osaka defeats Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2.

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"“I don’t really know what’s going on right now,” she said, smiling. “I really feel like I have another match I have to play tomorrow, and it didn’t really sink in that I won.” – Naomi Osaka in post-match interview at Indian Wells"

Osaka was stunned in her post-match interview, still letting the moment sink in. She will carry it with her for some time to come. Keep an eye on both Osaka and Kasatkina throughout the rest of the 2018 WTA Tour. The finals meeting for the champion came after a semifinals win over world No. 1 Simona Halep. And for Kasatkina, she was riding high off of wins over Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, and Venus Williams. Both of these young women clearly represent a new generation of stars in the sport and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Next: Top 10 All-Time Men's Tennis

Look for both Naomi Osaka and Daria Kasatkina to jump leaps and bounds in the WTA Tour rankings in the coming weeks. They have each proven they have what it takes to make a run at any tournament this year. Check back to see how either fares on the 2018 tour.

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