| Match: Finished | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. Osaka (JPN) (4) | 7(7) | 5 | 6 |
| P. Kvitova (CZE) [8] | 6(2) | 7 | 4 |
| Completed Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set won by N. Osaka | 6 - 4 | N. Osaka leads 2 to 1 |
| Set won by P. Kvitova | 5 - 7 | P. Kvitova has tied the match at 1 set all |
| Set won by N. Osaka | 7(7) - 6(2) | N. Osaka leads 1 to 0 |
There were twists and turns along the way, but Naomi Osaka secured her first Australian Open title on Saturday night in three tightly-contested sets.
Final score
Naomi Osaka 7(7) 5 6
Petra Kvitova 6(2) 7 4
Naomi Osaka will be gunning for her second straight grand slam title and first Australian Open crown when she takes on good news story Petra Kvitova in the women’s singles final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Not only is a grand slam title and more than $4 million dollars in prize money on the line for this match, but the winner will also become the new world No.1, so there is a mountain riding on it.
Osaka is backing up her victory at last year’s season-ending grand slam, however, it’s been some time since a woman won more than one grand slam on the hop, so a victory here would break a trend.
On the other side of the net in this final is the good news story of Kvitova, who, barely two years ago, wasn’t sure if she would ever step on the tennis court again.
However, she overcame serious injuries and is now back in a grand slam final, after, at one point, looking like she would be the next world beater.
With two grand slams to her name, it’s a career which has been set back and could have been one of the greats, but to be back in a grand slam final clearly made her emotional the other night, and given what she has been through, it’s hardly a surprise.
Her power game has suited her throughout the tournament, and while Kvitova’s draw was relatively straightforward until the quarter-final, she smoked past Ashleigh Barty in that fifth match, then stopped Danielle Collins in her track during the semi-final, winning the second set 6-0.
She won’t have things all her own way against Osaka though, who has an incredible baseline game, a strong serve and a good judgement surrounding when to go on the attack.
The difference between Osaka and many other players on the WTA tour though is her ability in returning serve and defending – something she got right consistently in dismantling Karolina Pliskova during the semi-final.
If she can keep up that level, the power game of Kvitova may well be nullified.
Intriguingly, this is the first meeting between the pair.
Prediction
This is a tough match to tip, and it’s likely to ebb and flow, back and forth, with a winner not certain until the very end. Osaka is the form player on the WTA tour though, and Kvitova wasn’t quite as on her game during the first set of the semi-final. I expect Japan’s superstar to take the win and new World No.1 rank.
Osaka in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the 2019 Australian Open women’s singles final from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: 7:30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park
TV: Live, Channel 9
Online: Live, 9Now
Betting: Osaka $1.70, Kvitova $2.20
Overall record: Never played
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
If this match is any indication how tomorrow’s match will play out we are in for an absolute treat! I think we are )
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
If Naomi starts believing in herself she will be great. She should have closed the match down in the second set, she’s getting there
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 Australian Open women's singles final. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Right now, it's time to switch over to the mixed doubles final, where the all-Australian duo of John-Patrick Smith and Astra Sharma are about to take on Rajeev Ram and Barbora Krejcikova. I'll also be back tomorrow for the men's singles final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic from 7:30pm (AEDT), and of course, if you're a cycling fan, I'll also have the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race from 11:30am (AEDT) in what is a big Sunday of sport. Just repeating though that on Rod Laver Arena this evening, Naomi Osaka has beaten Petra Kvitova in three sets, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, to win her first Australian Open title. It's bye for now though.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Osaka. "Hello. Sorry, public speaking isn't my strong side, so I just hope I can get through this. "Huge congrats to Petra. I've always wanted to play you, and I'm honoured to have played you in the final of a grand slam. "I want to thank you guys for coming and watching. It's really hot all the time (puts trophy down) and I want to show my gratitude for you supporting us in that. "Thankyou to Craig (Tiley), the ball kids, the umpires, the volunteers. "I don't think I would have made it through this week without you guys (my team). Thanks. "I read notes before this, but I still forgot the rest of what I got to say. I'm honoured to have played in this final."
Scott Pryde
Expert
It would appear that way. Her game still has plenty of improvement.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kvitova. Pretty emotional this, and understandable given the circumstances. "Hello everyone. It's crazy. I can't believe I just played a final of a grand slam again. "It was a great final. Well done Naomi. To your team as well, you played well and congrats for being number one. "It's a great tournament, for me, it's a big honour for me to hold this (the runners-up plate). "I want to say thanks to everyone who made this possible. "To my team as well. Thankyou for everything. But mostly, thankyou for sticking with me even when we didn't know whether I would be able to hold the racquet again. They are there every single day, supporting me and staying positive for me. It probably wasn't easy, so thankyou so much. "Thanks to all of you who came to support us. See you next year."
jamesb
Roar Guru
I hope Osaka enjoys this win. No Serena Williams taking away her moment. Back to back grand slam champion. Future superstar of the sport? Time will tell.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Outstanding. Thought Osaka was toast when she lost that second set.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Presentation getting underway.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Naomi Osaka defeats Petra Kvitova in three sets to win the 2019 Australian Open women's singles tournament Naomi Osaka has put in a stunning performance to take her second grand slam title, first Australian Open title and the world No.1 ranking in the women's final at the first grand slam of 2019. After the controversial scenes of her first grand slam victory late last year at the US Open, Osaka put in a stunning performance. The first set went all the way to a tiebreaker of one break of serve each, before Osaka had championship points in the second set. With the serve rolling and Kvitova making a bunch of unforced errors, Osaka was up 40-0 against serve with 5-3 on the board, but she fell apart at the end of the second set. She lost all of the championship points though, then got broken, before Kvitova won another two games on the hop to tie the game at the first set. Osaka gathered herself though, getting a break early in the third set, then holding onto it all the way to the finish line as she becomes the first Japanese champion at the Australian Open. Osaka….. 7 5 6 Kvitova… 6 7 4
Josh
Expert
Great match!
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, CHAMPIONSHIP NAOMI OSAKA! Naomi Osaka is a back-to-back grand slam champion, first time Australian Open champion and new world No.1 on the WTA circuit. She has done it, and it looks like she can barely believe it. Huge serve to finish it off, with Kvitova unable to return down the T on the outstretched backhand. Almost two and a half hours in the end. Osaka just so, so good in the end though after falling apart at the back end of the second set. Osaka….. 7 5 6 Kvitova… 6 7 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Osaka. The second is returned on a forehand, then Osaka misses on a forehand, sending it long. Osaka….. 7 5 5 - 40 Kvitova… 6 7 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Osaka goes the wide serve, then hits a ball through the centre of the court. Kvitova can only flick it wide and we have three more championship points. Osaka….. 7 5 5 - 40 Kvitova… 6 7 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Osaka. The second is returned well, then Osaka hits a forehand up the sideline. Osaka….. 7 5 5 - 30 Kvitova… 6 7 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Osaka serving for the championship. ACE! Out wide to start. Osaka….. 7 5 5 - 15 Kvitova… 6 7 4 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Heavy wide serve from Kvitova here. Osaka can't get the return in, and after the change of ends, she will serve for the title. Osaka….. 7 5 5 - Kvitova… 6 7 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kvitova bombs the serve up the middle and Osaka returns long. Osaka….. 7 5 5 - 15 Kvitova… 6 7 3 - 40