Osaka, 20, triumphed 6-2, 6-4 in the match marred by Williams’s second set outburst, the American enraged by umpire Carlos Ramos’s warning for receiving coaching from her box.

When a second code violation for racquet abuse was handed out to her — along with a point penalty for a second violation — Williams exploded.

She tearfully accused him of being a “thief” and angrily demanded an apology from the official.

“You’re attacking my character,” she said. “You will never, ever be on another court of mine. You are the liar,” she fumed and Ramos handed her a game penalty that put Osaka one game from victory at 5-3 in the second set.

Williams won the next game, and continued her tearful remonstrations with a supervisor on the changeover.

But Osaka — who displayed not only a stellar game but remarkable poise throughout — held serve to seal a historic win for her country.

Williams, seeking a first Grand Slam title since the birth of her daughter Olympia on September 1 2017, was denied a 24th Grand Slam title that would have matched Margaret Court’s all-time record.

As the pro-Williams crowed booed the announcers at the trophy presentation, Osaka was tearing up herself, but Williams urged the spectators to show the young champion respect.

“She played well,” Williams said, pausing to compose herself. “This is her first Grand Slam. “I know you guys were here rooting, but let’s make this the best moment we can. Let’s give everyone the credit where credit is due. Let’s not boo any more.

“Congratulations Naomi,” said Williams, who later said Osaka played an “amazing” match.

When it was Osaka’s turn she seemed at a loss.

“I know everyone was cheering for her and I’m sorry it had to end like this,” she said.

“It was always my dream to play Serena in the US Open finals,” she added, turning to Williams herself. “I’m really grateful I was able to play with you, thank you.”

Williams’s tantrum overshadowed an outstanding performance from Osaka, who made her second career title a Grand Slam after winning her first at Indian Wells in March.

A match with history at stake for both players got off to a tense start.

Williams blinked first, double-faulting on break point to give Osaka a 2-1 lead.

After a confident hold punctuated by a 106 mph ace Osaka broke again to lead 4-1, silencing the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

They came to life again as Williams gained her first break chance, which Osaka saved with a 117 mph service winner. Williams squandered one more chance before Osaka sealed the hold with another big serve, offering a Serena-style “C’mon!”

Williams of the US argues with chair umpire Carlos Ramos 

– ‘I don’t cheat’ –

It was in the second game of the second set that Williams was warned for receiving coaching, a charge she vigorously denied.

“I don’t cheat to win,” she said. “I’d rather lose.”

She was up 2-1 on the changeover when she spoke again with Ramos appearing to smooth things over, and she finally found a way to break Osaka for a 3-1 lead.

The tranquility didn’t last long. When Osaka broke back with the aid of two double faults and a backhand into the net from Williams, the American smashed her racquet to the court. A second code violation came with a point penalty to start the next game that sent her into orbit.

“I didn’t get coaching. I haven’t cheated in my life. I stand for what’s right,” insisted Williams as they headed into the sixth game – in which Osaka held at love.

After Osaka broke for a 4-3 lead Williams continued her verbal assault on Ramos, who docked her a game for a third violation that put Osaka up 5-3.

It’s not the first time emotional outbursts have cost Williams at the US Open. Her ugly rant at a line judge marred Kim Clijsters’s semi-final win over her in 2009 and she infamously called chair umpire Eva Asderaki “unattractive inside” in a tantrum during her 2011 final loss to Samantha Stosur.

Williams said she didn’t know if she would have managed to turn things around if the dispute with Ramos had not occurred.

“I feel like she was playing really well, but I feel like I really needed to do a lot to change in that match to try to come out front, to try to come out on top,” she said.

“It’s hard to say because I always fight till the end and I always try to come back, no matter what.”

Naomi Osaka won the final 6-2, 6-4 to become Japan’s first ever Grand Slam singles champion.

It also delayed Williams’s bid for a record-equalling 24th major title.

However, the final was overshadowed by the American’s angry and tear-filled meltdown in the second set.

She was handed a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a “liar and a thief” and insisting “you owe me an apology”.

Williams insisted that her coach Patrick Mouratoglou had not been coaching her even though the Frenchman told ESPN that he had and that all coaches do it.

“I just texted Patrick, like, What is he talking about? Because we don’t have signals. We have never discussed signals,” said Williams.

Williams said women players are treated differently to their male counterparts in the sport.

Serena Williams of the United States argues with referee Brian Earley.

“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality,” said the 36-year-old.

“For me to say ‘thief’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark.

“He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’. For me it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women.”

Williams made reference to the incident last week when French player Alize Cornet was warned for removing her shirt on court.

Cornet was accused of “unsportsmanlike behaviour”.

“Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine. This is outrageous,” said Williams warming to her theme.

“I just feel like the fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions, and that want to express themselves, and want to be a strong woman.

“They’re going to be allowed to do that because of today. Maybe it didn’t work out for me, but it’s going to work out for the next person.”

A full-day event took place from 10am to 10pm and featured race registration, sports stations and showcases with fun games and activities for athletes and sports fans alike. The Expo was part of Laguna Phuket’s year-long celebration of the award-wining Laguna Phuket Triathlon (LPT)’s 25^th anniversary, scheduled this year between November 17-18 in Phuket.

At the press conference, part of today’s activities, Laguna Phuket has launched inaugural “25 For 25 Sprint”, LPT’s first sprint-distance triathlon race of 25K (swim 0.5K, bike 18.5K and run 6K), and introduced LPT Charity Fun Run’s newly appointed “Run for Fun, Run for Kids” Charity Ambassador, Thai actress and inspiring celebrity athlete Rachwin “Koy” Wongviriya. “25 For 25 Sprint” will take place on Sunday 18 November, the same day as 25^th LPT whose combined distance is 63.8K (swim 1.8K, bike 50K and run 12K). Aiming at raising funds to support more than 400 children at 7 orphanages in Phuket through Children First Fund (CFF), LPT Charity Fun, comprising 5K, 10K and 2K Kids Run, will take place in the late afternoon of Saturday 17 November.

The press conference was paneled Mr. Itthiphol Kunplome, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports; Mr. Prakob Wongmaneerung, Phuket Vice Governor; Mr. Chappavit Bunyaphiphatr, Director of Regional Brand Management, Nao Global Co., Ltd.; Mr. Ravi Chandran, Managing Director, Laguna Phuket and Ms. Rachwin Wongviriya, Charity Ambassador for LPT Charity Fun Run “Run for Fun, Run for Kids”.

Mr. Chandran said “I’d like to thank all of the runners and triathletes who have participated in our annual sporting events, and whose support entitled Laguna Phuket Triathlon “Asia’s longest-standing triathlon race” to its 25^th anniversary this year,”

“The sprint-triathlon race’s distance of 25K is meant to echo LPT’s 25^th anniversary as the year it is launched,” he concluded.When asked about her roles as LPT Charity Fun Run’s Charity Ambassador, Koy said “Following a partnership in Kao Project last year, I am delighted to be joining Laguna Phuket again this year in its philanthropy journey. Thanks to the organizers and supporters for creating a sporting event that bestows positive impact for the community. I’d like to encourage all to join me in the charity run this November and raise big funds for more than 400 children in Phuket through CFF!”

Other highlights at the Expo included “Tri Tips & Tricks” session by Thailand’s leading triathlon gurus “Pro Kai” Witthaya Maneejakr and Jaray Jearanai who holds the record as LPT’s first Thai finisher for 7-consecutive years (since 2011), followed by a series of stage presentations and workshops on swimming techniques, sport nutrition, running, cycling and triathlon by LPT partners.

Other activities included chances to win roundtrip Bangkok – Phuket air tickets and 2-night accommodation at Laguna Phuket, kids’ corner, fun games from sponsors and all-day tri-related activities. The entry to the Expo was free!

Wishaya, 23, came back from two match points to beat fellow countryman Pruchya Isaro 6-2 4-6 7-6 (8-6) in the first all Thai final showdown of Men’s Futures tournament at the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand tennis complex.

Patcharin, playing on a nearby court, staved off a couple of match points as well to beat Taiwanese Lee Hua-Chen, winner in the last week’s circuit here, 3-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-2 in two hours and 41 minutes.

Their wins meaned all titles including the men’s and women’s doubles were won by Thais which marked the first time ever in the Thai tennis history. On Friday Pruchya and Canadian Kesley Stevenson won the men’s doubles while Nudnida Luangnam and Bunyawi Thamchaiwat won the women’s doubles.

For Wishaya he finally lifted up a title after reaching two finals earlier this year in China and Japan. He has won two ITF titles with the first one occuring at this venue last October.

“Coming back from two match points to win the title is a good boost to my confidence. It’s nice to play Pruchya in the first all Thai final match in Men’s Futures. This is very good for Thai tennis,” said Wishaya who will play two more Futures events in Hua Hin before returning to the Challenger Tour.

“My goal for the rest of the season is to play consistent on the Challenger level,” added the 459^th-ranked player.

Patcharin, one of the most in-form Thai players at the moment, dug deep to outlast the Taiwanese foe to capture her third ITF title after her first and second in Hua Hin (2017) and at this same venue  last year.

“I didn’t know how I managed to get back in the match. She is so solid that it was hard to hit clean winners against her. So I had to keep the ball in play and waited for the right moments to go for my shots,” said the Thai No 3.

Despite her good results (one quarter-finals, two semi-finals and one title) this season, Patcharin has no sponsor and was not recruited in the Asian Games team last month. Because of financial factor, she has no plan to compete overseas and will make money by playing locally only. She also denied rumours that she planned to retire.

“I never said I wanted to quit. I just have to play at home only as it takes a lot of money to go on the tour. My mom is getting older so I can’t keep asking her money to pursue my career. I just have to accept the fact that playing overseas is out of my reach,” said Patcharin who is now coached by her boyfriend Watcharaphong Iamlaor.

The national squad selected from the Toyota Junior Foootball Clinic project kicked off their friendly series with a 7-0 win over Sacred Heart Convent School Bangkok on Monday, their first match after undergoing a training session at the Armed Forces Development Command under the supervision of Piyapong Pue-on, the former national striker.

On Wednesday, they took on their predecessors, the under-13 team who won the Toyota International Junior Cup in Toyota 12 months ago. The successors went down 1-10 in that second warm-up game at the same venue.

On Friday, the team salvaged their pride by by posing a 6-2 win over PSW Futera Football Academy also at Srisaman pitch.

Striker Assada Homhuan from Phuket emerged the top scorer (five goals) from the three games, which included a hat-trick against PSW Futera Football Academy.

All 24 players of the team will receieve a certificate of the Toyota Junior Foootball Clinic at the Armed Forces Development Command on Sunday. They will leave Thailand on Wednesday to compete in Toyota between 15 – 17.

Two-time Olympic taekwondo champion Steven Lopez has been handed a life ban by the US Center for SafeSport following an allegation of sexual misconduct, it was confirmed on Friday.

Lopez has been deemed “permanently ineligible” from future competition in a ruling made by the center on Thursday following a four-month investigation.

No other information was immediately available.

The 39-year-old, a gold medalist at both the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, had been suspended since May. His brother Jean, a coach on the US Olympic taekwondo team, had already been banned for life for sexual offenses.

Steven Lopez could yet appeal his suspension, the center said on its website. The Houston Chronicle newspaper reported that the offense which prompted his ban involved a 14-year-old girl in 2000 when he was 22.

He reportedly began “grooming” the girl for abuse when she was 10 years old, the report cited investigators as saying.

The suspension comes after four women athletes sued the US Olympic Committee and USA Taekwondo for sex trafficking in a federal lawsuit filed in May.

The women alleged they were forced to train and travel with known sexual predators.

Heidi Gilbert, Mandy Meloon, Amber Means and Gaby Joslin alleged they suffered “two decades of sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking of Team USA’s Olympic taekwondo athletes by the entities, officials, coaches and mentors who were entrusted to protect them.”

Both Jean Lopez and Steven Lopez were named in the lawsuit.

Meloon, a two-time world champion, claimed in a 2007 complaint she was raped by Jean at the 1997 World Cup in Egypt when she was 15. She was left off Jean’s 2007 squad, pressing her case to USOC arbitration.

Gilbert said Jean had sexually assaulted her after events in Ecuador in 2002 and Germany in 2003.

The lawsuit says women who wanted onto the US taekwondo team “had no choice but to submit to the Lopez brothers’ sexual demands.”

If they refused to do so, they were benched, suspended or kicked off Team USA by the Lopez brothers.

Third seed Del Potro, the champion in 2009, was 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 ahead when Nadal retired.

The Argentine will face either Novak Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 winner, or Japan’s Kei Nishikori in Sunday’s final.

“I hate to retire,” said Nadal who has endured a series of knee injuries throughout his career.

He also retired trailing in the fifth set of his Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic in January.

“It’s not a match when one is playing and the other is at the side of the court.”

Nadal, bidding for a fourth title in New York and 18th major, had spent the best part of 16 hours getting to the semi-finals.

That effort took its toll with the Spaniard twice needing to have his right knee bandaged before calling it a day after the conclusion of the second set.

“Well of course it’s not the best way to win a match. I love to play against Rafa because he’s the biggest fighter in this sport and I don’t like to see him suffering,” said 29-year-old Del Potro who will be playing in his second Slam final.

“I am sad for him but I’m also happy to do my best.”

Nadal’s challenge looked doomed even as early as the first set, feeling the injury after just four games, he admitted.

He needed his right knee strapped after the seventh game before gallantly fighting off two set points in the 10th game, breaking Del Potro who was serving for the set.

But the big Argentine swept through the tiebreaker, wrapping up the opener after 69 minutes of impressive shot-making.

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays with a taped up knee.

The Spaniard called a medical timeout after three games of the second set to have the right knee rebandaged.

Del Potro sensed blood and broke for 3-1 as Nadal struggled for movement.

He broke again for 5-2 on his way to a two-set lead and eventual victory.

“It means a lot to be back in the final,” added Del Potro after his sixth win over Nadal, all on hard court.

“I didn’t expect to get to another Grand Slam final in my favourite tournament.

“I had my biggest memories on this court in 2009 when I beat Rafa and Roger (Federer, in the final). I was a kid then; now i am much older.”

Djokovic is in his 11th US Open semi-final and enjoys a 14-2 head-to-head record against Nishikori.

Victory on Friday would put the 31-year-old into his eighth final in New York.

This is their fourth meeting this year with Djokovic winning in Madrid, Rome and at Wimbledon on his way to a 13th Grand Slam title.

Nishikori, who like Djokovic missed the 2017 US Open with injury, made his third Flushing Meadows semi-final with a five-set victory over Cilic, who beat him in the 2014 final.

This will be the first time that two Thais will be clashing in the men’s singles final round of an ITF Future event, which comes a breath of fresh air following the scarcity of talented male players making an impact after the retirements of former top 10 Paradorn Srichaphan and his sucessor Danai Udomchoke, a former top-80 player.

Wishaya, 23, had a much easier time in the semi-final as his American rival Adam El Mihdawy retired with an injury at 0-4 in |the first set while the in-form Pruchya, 22, dropped just four games to beat Soichiro Moritabi of Japan 6-2 6-2.

Wishaya became only the fourth Thai to lift a Men’s Futures trophy when he won on home soil last October, while Pruchya has yet to capture a title after reaching the finals twice in 2013 in Bangkok and in Vietnam a few months ago.

Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul 

“No matter what happens, the title will belong to a Thai,” said Wishaya, ranked 459th in the world. “I have no idea what happened before me, but I’ve never seen two Thais in the final before.”

Pruchya, now coached by former Thai No 1 Danai, is also delighted to play his long-time friend in the final of an ITF event.

“This is a good sign for Thai men’s tennis. I believe it will happen more and more if we keep working hard towards our goal,” said the 745th-ranked Pruchya, a former Davis Cup player. Both have played many times but in their recent meets on local events, Wishaya beat Pruchya twice, in 2016 and 2017.

Pruchya and Kesley Stevenson 

Both had a warm-up against each other on Friday as they met in the doubles finals. Pruchya and Bangkok-based Kesley Stevenson of Canada beat Wishaya and Lin Wei-de of Taiwan 6-3 6-4 10-7.

Patcharin Cheapcharndej

In the women’s ITF circuit also taking place at the same venue, third-seeded Pathcarin Cheapchandej beat Chinese Liu Chang 6-4 6-3 to set up a final clash with Taiwanese Lee Hua-Chen of Taiwan, the winner last week, who ousted Prera Bhambri of India 7-5 6-1.

Nudnida Luangnam and Bunyawi Thamchaiwat 

In the women’s doubles final, Nudnida Luangnam and Bunyawi Thamchaiwat upset top-seeded Cho I-Hsuan of Taiwan and Wang Dan Ni of China 6-2 6-0 to win the trophy.

Growing up in the quiet province of Buri Ram, Tukkatatong says life was pretty simple when he was growing up.

“My life was a normal country kid’s life. I spent my time playing with friends and being naughty. I was quite misbehaved as a kid,” he says.

Tukkatatong’s father, who was a local government representative, was a fan of the discipline famously known as “the art of eight limbs”, and soon, it became more than just something that he would watch on the television.

“My dad was a big muay thai fan. He used to watch all the fights on television. That is how I got introduced to muay thai,” says Tukkatatong. “I would watch the fights with him, and I became a fan. One day, my dad bought some gloves and a bag for us to mess around with.”

It wasn’t long before Tukkatatong decided to dedicate himself to the Thai martial art, and by age 10 he was already competing.

Eventually, Tukkatatong decided to make the jump to the big city to further his progress as a martial artist.

“I had my first fight when I was 10 – I was in the fourth grade. After fighting for a few years in the provinces, I relocated to Bangkok at the age of 13 and moved to the Kiatpetch Gym,” he says.

Like all dedicated martial artists do, Tukkatatong found success. But it was not all smooth sailing for the 30-year old Thai kickboxer, as he ran into some tough times that ultimately forced him to make competing in muay thai his career.

Tukkatatong’s family ran into a severe financial crisis after his father blew almost all his money in failed election bid in Buri Ram.

The election campaign left Tukkatatong and his family penniless.

“The hardest time of my life was when my family lost all our money,” he recalls. “My dad was up for re-election for the local government. He spent a lot of money on his campaign, but he lost the election. It was extremely difficult for everyone.”

Tukkatatong went back home to Buri Ram to ponder his future as a competitor, but seeing his family in dire financial straits, it was clear what he had to do.

“Once my family went bankrupt, I decided I had to return to fight and help the family out with money,” he said.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Tukkatatong would go on to become a two-time Channel 7 muay thai champion, Northeast Thailand champion, and Andaman League Tournament champion.

“I am most proud of my Channel 7 stadium belts,” he stated. “My proudest win was when I beat Ninmongkon, as he was the top fighter then.”

At the “One: Spirit of a Warrior” event in Yangon last June, Tukkatatong made his debut on what he calls the biggest stage he has been on – the One Championship’s One Super Series.

In his promotional debut, Tukkatatong defeated French striker Mehdi “Diamond Heart” Zatout with a unanimous decision.

“The One Championship is the biggest stage I have ever fought on,” he said proudly. “There are so many people following One around the world.”

Without his perseverance and will, Tukkatatong would not have achieved iconic status in Thailand.

Once again, he has his father to thank for showing him what it means to not give up.

“Seeing my dad continue to fight and refusing to give up taught me that you can overcome anything, as long as you keep fighting. I carry this with me today. I refuse to give up,” he stressed.

At “One: Beyond the Horizon” on Saturday, Tukkatatong will once more try to overcome another challenge as he faces former Lion Fight lightweight world champion Ognjen Topic in a One Super Series bantamweight muay thai contest.

Currently based in Singapore and working as an instructor at Evolve MMA, Tukkatatong is motivated by the success that his colleagues have achieved on the One Championship stage.

“All my muay thai world champion teammates at Evolve MMA have performed so well so far in the One Super Series. I look forward to putting on a show too,” he declared.

More than  60 nations attended the event. Thai sailors won two events from the Best Team Racing category, Best Nation Cup and finished third places in the Overall and Best Male both by Panwa Boonnark.

This marked the third time that Thailand won the Best Optimist Worlds’ team racing trophy after the first time in  2010 and the second in 2014.