Serena Williams' bid for a record-equalling 24th grand slam title has been denied for the second time this year, beaten in the US Open final by rising Japanese star Naomi Osaka in an extraordinary match underlined by tears and a series of code violations handed out to the American.

Williams, who lost the Wimbledon final to Angelique Kerber in July, was no match for her composed 20-year-old opponent, succumbing 6-2 6-4 in front of a stunned New York crowd in a contest where the home favourite was deducted a point and then a game in the type of scenes rarely if ever sighted in professional tennis.

Played under a closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium due to weather concerns, Williams caused a long delay late in the second set to have a conversation with the tournament referees to complain about the way she was treated by chair umpire Carlos Ramos.

In an exchange that led to the game deduction, Williams said to Ramos: “You will never, ever, ever be on another court of mine as long as you live. You are the liar. You owe me an apology. You stole a point from me. You’re a thief, too.”