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Naomi Osaka wins second consecutive Slam in Melbourne

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts in her Women's Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts in her Women's Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images) /
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Naomi Osaka won her second Grand Slam consecutive Grand Slam title on Saturday.

Superstar Naomi Osaka established herself as the new dominant force in women’s tennis with a second consecutive Grand Slam victory. With the win over Petra Kvitova, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4, the 21-year-old sensation became the first woman to win the Slam following her maiden one since Jennifer Capriati in 2001. Like Caroline Wozniacki last year, the trophy also comes with the new No. 1 ranking.

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It seems likely Osaka will retain the top ranking for longer than the Dane.

Li Na — newly elected into the Tennis Hall of Fame — was on hand to pass on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. Na was the first Asian Grand Slam winner. The Chinese player reached as high as world No. 2. Osaka is not only the first Japanese No. 1, but the first Asian player to reach that height.

But it almost didn’t happen. After winning the first set with a consistent performance, Osaka collapsed after sitting at match point in the second, allowing a resilient Petra Kvitova to pounce. Kvitova’s momentum continued into the third set, as she won five games in a row to lock in a lead for a fairytale comeback, heading 1-0 into the final set.

Osaka fired off an exquisite backhand winner from her knees, injecting her game with a newfound force, rallying back to fight for three games in a row. This time, last year’s U.S. Open champ brought home the win. It was a high quality, tightly contested match, with both players firing off 33 winners, and Kvitova committing slightly more unforced errors than her opponent: 39 for the Czech compared to Osaka’s 33.

The victory celebration for the young Japanese player was a much smoother affair than in Flushing Meadows last year — devoid of audience boos and controversy that eclipsed her initial Slam win. Both players seemed happy with their results.

“Sorry, public speaking isn’t my strong side,” Osaka said during the trophy presentation, via USA Today. “Huge congrats to you Petra, you’re amazing, and I’m really honored to play you in a Grand Slam … I read notes before this but still I forgot what I am supposed to say. So thank you.”

For Kvitova, making the final was part of an inspiring story, two years after suffering a knife attack home invasion. Beloved by peers and fans alike, the 28-year-old has not only bounced back, but she won the most WTA titles on Tour last year. However, Grand Slam success has eluded the two-time Wimbledon champ since her return. Getting to the final in Melbourne is beyond a stunning achievement.

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“It’s crazy, I cannot believe I just played a final of a Grand Slam again,” said Kvitova, in her runner’s up speech, fighting back tears. “It was a great final. Well done, Naomi … and congrats for being No. 1 as well.

“It’s been a while to be in the final for me,” she added.

What a terrific journey for the sensational Osaka. Considering that she was ranked No. 72 last year, her rise to the top of the WTA has been a revelation. World No. 6 Kvitova will also move into the Top 3 for the first time since 2015.

The men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal takes place on Sunday.

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