TC Plus Match of the Day: Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka, Toronto

Serena Williams will look to finally win a set—and, of course, a match—over Naomi Osaka in a replay of the one of the sport's most controversial championship clashes, the 2018 US Open final.

There should be no hard feelings between the two, especially after Serena’s heartfelt apology to Osaka, where she stated, “I would love the chance to live that moment over again. I am, was, and will always be happy for you and supportive of you.”

Serena has yet to win more than four games in a set against Osaka. (Getty Images)

The 23-time major champion came into Toronto on the heels of reaching her second straight Wimbledon final, while Osaka had been in the midst of a tailspin since parting ways with former coach Sascha Bajin, crashing out in the third round of Roland Garros and first round of Wimbledon. She hasn't won a title since winning her second consecutive major at January's Australian Open.

Serena has fallen behind at least one break of serve to start in each of her four sets in Toronto this week—all victorious, in the end—a spot she'd like avoid against the world No. 2. Williams must set the tone early, as Osaka has proven in her four sets against Williams—all victorious—that she's prepared to dictate, win or lose, from the baseline. She won't back down from asserting her game.

[The match that never ended: an oral history of the 2018 US Open women's final]

Osaka will surely raise her level, as she often does against the best players in the world. She's served well when she's needed to at the Rogers Cup, fending off the talented Iga Swiatek to reach this stage. But that may not be enough against a hungry Serena, who is not only looking for revenge in this meeting, but is adamant about acquiring match play in a season that has seen her play just seven tournaments thus far.