Defiant Kvitova sets up fairytale final in Australia

Petra Kvitova ended American superstar Danielle Collins’ fantastic run, while Naomi Osaka fought her way into a second straight Grand Slam final.

Two years ago Petra Kvitova was recovering from emergency surgery after a home invader attacked the two-time Wimbledon champion, holding a knife to her throat. At the time, the former world No. 2 was ranked No. 11 in the world.

On Saturday, the defiant Kvitova could achieve the world No. 1 ranking for the first time. The winner of the Australian Open women’s title will collect the top ranking to go along with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. It’s winner takes all in Melbourne.

“I think not many people believe that I can do that again – to stand on the court and play tennis on this level,” said Petra Kvitova after the match, according to The Telegraph.

“I’m still not really believing that I’m in the final,” she added. “It’s kind of weird that I didn’t know even if I gonna play tennis again.”

Beloved by fans and peers alike, Kvitova’s comeback is straight out of a movie script. The 28-year-old will likely have the crowd at her feet when she enters Rod Laver Arena. It’s a revelation that the beloved player is able to play tennis, without even having 100 percent of feeling back in that hand.

“It wasn’t only physically but mentally was very tough. It took me really a while to believe, to the people around me again, and especially to the men. I wasn’t confident to be alone somewhere.”

Her win over Danielle Collins, 7-6(2), 6-0 ended the American’s exciting run, but the NCAA champion will likely crack the Top 25 and is a new gifted superstar on the horizon.

The Australian Open — labeled the “Happy Slam” by players — is also where Monica Seles found redemption, winning in 1996 two and a half years after being attacked on court in Paris.

Youthful Osaka poured on the charm

Matching Kvitova’s form will be 21-year-old Naomi Osaka, who is into her second Slam final, after winning her maiden one at Flushing Meadows last year, where she outplayed Serena Williams.

Her win over Karolina Pliskova prevented an all-Czech final, but was a tighter match than Kivotva’s win over Collins, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. World No. 4 Osaka smoothly powered her way back into the match after losing the second set, brilliantly serving, producing winners and bravely fighting off break points.

Because of the heat index, the roof had been closed on Rod Laver during the Kvitova-Collins match. When Osaka was asked if she preferred the roof closed, her answer charmed everyone.

“No, but they had the roof open and I was like, ‘my time to shine,’ you know?” Osaka said.

Nadal in race with history

Rafael Nadal had no problem dismissing his much younger opponent, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0, winning 16 out of his 22 approaches at the net. Is there any stroke the legend can’t master?

“He has this, I don’t know, talent, that no other player has,” said Tsitsipas, via USA Today. “I’ve never seen a player have this. He makes you play bad. I don’t know. I would call that a talent.”

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At 32 years old, the 17-time Slam champion is gunning for several records in Melbourne, including:

1. An awe-inspiring 18th Grand Slam, putting him within reach of Roger Federer’s record 20.
2. A second title in Melbourne, reversing much of the bad luck the Spaniard has had at his least successful Slam.
3. Becoming one of only three men to hold two titles at each of the Grand Slams, including Roy Emerson and the man the stadium is named after, Rod Laver.

The final semifinal takes place on Friday, between Novak Djokovic — someone who has had tremendous luck at the Aussie Open with six titles — and Lucas Pouille.

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