VOA · What's Trending Today?
Intermediate · B1–B2learner speed4:342018-09-07public domain
What's Trending Today? covers viral stories and social media moments in short, punchy reports. The episodes are brief and topical — perfect for a quick daily dictation session.
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01This is what's trending today.
02American tennis player Serena Williams is looking to make history by winning a record 24th Grand Slam title at the U.S.
03Open on Saturday.
04Across the net will be 20-year-old Naomi Osaka.
05She has already made history of her own.
06She is the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam tennis final.
07Osaka played Williams earlier this year in Miami, Florida.
08Williams was still returning to form after giving birth to her daughter last September.
09Osaka won the match 6-3, 6-2.
10At important points during that match, Osaka said she asked herself, what would Serena do?
11Then, she served aces just like her idol would.
12Osaka said of Williams after that match, Osaka was born in Osaka, Japan to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father.
13She holds both Japanese and American citizenship.
14But she has chosen to compete for the Japanese Tennis Association.
15I can understand way more Japanese than I can speak, Osaka told reporters at USA Today.
16And when I go to Japan, people are confused.
17From my name, they don't expect to see a black girl.
18Already in her short career, Osaka has become known for defeating several top players in women's tennis.
19Osaka beat former U.S.
20Open champion Samantha Stoser of Australia in 2014, not long after becoming a professional.
21And in last year's U.S.
22Open, she defeated defending champion Angelique Kerber in the first round.
23On Thursday, Osaka defeated American Madison Keys to reach the U.S.
24Open final.
25Keys was runner-up in last year's U.S.
26Open.
27After her victory, Osaka was asked how she was able to play well at several critical moments in the game.
28She said, This is going to sound really bad, but I was just thinking I really want to play Serena.
29Osaka added, Osaka's dream has come true.
30Williams easily won her semifinal match Thursday against Anastasia Sevastova of Latvia.
31Williams has won 23 Grand Slam titles, including seven U.S.
32Open championships.
33She missed the 2017 U.S.
34Open because she gave birth to her daughter on September 1st.
35Williams then had to take time off from tennis because of her difficult birth experience.
36A win Saturday would be Williams' first Grand Slam title as a mother.
37It would also give her a record-tying 24 Grand Slam victories.
38Australia's Margaret Court currently holds the record.
39After her win on Thursday night, Williams said, No matter what happens in any match, semis, finals, I just feel like I've won already.
40Williams' first Grand Slam title came in 1999 at the U.S.
41Open.
42At the time, Osaka was not yet two years old.
43Osaka gave a simple answer when asked what her message is to Williams ahead of Saturday's final.
44I love you, Osaka said.
45And that's what's trending today.
46I'm Ashley Thompson.
47I love you, Osaka.
48I love you, Osaka.
49I love you, Osaka.
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