The Australian Open has a new champion following Japan’s Naomi Osaka’s stunning victory over Petra Kvitova in Saturday night’s grand final.
Osaka and her Czech opponent put on a gripping display for spectators, with the pair battling it out in tight sets until Osaka cinched the win at 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 27 minutes at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
Osaka looked set to claim victory early on, but lost three championship points at 5-3 in the second set on Kvitova’s serve.
The Czech player showed incredible discipline and held her nerve to break Osaka’s serve in the next game, taking the match to a third set decider.
Osaka was clearly rattled and left the court in tears to compose herself at the end of the second set. She returned shaky at the start of the third, but managed to clear her head and claw her way back into the lead and finally to claim the win and a new ranking as the world’s number one female player.
During her victory speech, Osaka spoke highly of Kvitova and her incredible performance throughout the tournament.
“I always wanted to play you and you have been through so much,” Osaka said at the presentation ceremony.
“Honestly I wouldn’t have wanted this to be our first match. Huge congrats to you and your team and you are really amazing and I am really honoured to have played you in the final of a Grand Slam.”
Although she didn’t go home with the winner’s trophy, Kvitova is no doubt proud of her efforts on Sunday night, given the fact she is playing tennis at all is somewhat of a miracle.
The Czech player was the victim of a violent home invasion in 2016 and was held at knifepoint and stabbed in the hand.
Her doctors believed her injuries were so severe she’d never play tennis again, but she persevered and eventually got her hand back in working order.
The Australian Open was the first Grand Slam final she’s played since making her comeback.
Last night’s victory was no doubt a satisfying win for Osaka after her US Open victory last year was overshadowed by her opponent Serena William’s incredible on-court spat with the umpire during the finals match.
William’s had been handed a game penalty among three violations during the final and had accused chair umpire Carlos Ramos of sexism.
Spectators booed through much of the presentation ceremony, leaving Osaka in tears and in need of being comforted by William’s who tried to reassure her the boos were aimed at Romos and not the young champion.