Naomi Osaka is the 2019 Australian Open champion
2018 US Open women's singles winner Naomi Osaka won her second consecutive Grand Slam. The fourth seed beat Petra Kvitova in a thrilling three-setter in the final of the Australian Open 2019. Osaka won the pulsating tie 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 in Melbourne on Saturday. This win also ensured her second career Slam and a place at the top of the WTA Rankings. Here's more.
Osaka came into the final as the favorite. As expected, it wasn't an easy ride, but her grit helped her to prevail over Kvitova. Osaka was made to sweat hard by Kvitova, who looked strong and composed in tense moments. Osaka lost some of her bearing since gaining the lead in the second set. Kvitova cashed in, before Osaka came back in the decider.
Osaka was leading 5-4 in the second set and was serving for the Championship, but Kvitova stood tall and produced a strong display to win three successive games and win the second set 7-5. Osaka's double faults came at crucial moments as Kvitova served big to turn things around. The Japanese managed to smash returns to the net against some of Kvitova's serves.
Osaka got back her composure and focus in the decider and broke Kvitova at 2-1 after a sublime backhand whip onto the service line. From there on, the Japanese took control of the set and found her authority back, but Kvitova didn't give in easily.
.@Naomi_Osaka_ is the Australian Open 2019 champion 🏆
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2019
She def. Petra Kvitova 7-6(2) 5-7 6-4.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/XU0Of8Unzi
