Naomi Osaka wins Australian Open

N Osaka d. P Kvitova 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4

Naomi Osaka confirmed herself as tennis's next-gen superstar at Rod Laver arena when she wrenched the Australian Open title away from two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova on Saturday night. It was the 21-year-old's second major in a row, following last year's US Open, but it would not surprise if she counted three, for she had to win this one twice.

Naomi Osaka savours her moment at Melbourne Park.Credit:Eddie Jim

In a rollicking finale, Osaka had three match points in a row in the second set, but lost them all, or rather, had them wrested away by the ever brave Kvitova, who charged on to win the set. Somehow, Osaka rallied from what for another might have been a terminal stumble to win the third set and the championship.

It had taken two-and-a-half hours. When done, Osaka sunk to haunches and paused there. Immediately, this winner could not find it in herself to be a grinner; it was too momentous an occasion for that. Not until she got her hands on the trophy did she chance a thin smile.

After the US final, she had been overwhelmed by Serena Williams-created drama. Here, she appeared overwhelmed by herself. As well she might.

With this victory, Osaka becomes world No. 1 for the first time. She is the first Japanese player, man or woman, to win a major championship, and the first to ascend to No. 1. She is also the youngest No. 1 since Caroline Wozniacki assumed the status, also by winning this tournament, in 2010.

Relief: Osaka wins match point to claim her second grand slam title.Credit:Eddie Jim

Kvitova has two consolation prizes: the runners-up trophy and the No. 2 ranking. Both have come far, fast. A year ago, Osaka was No. 72 in the world and almost unknown, Kvitova No. 29 and nearly forgotten. Suddenly, this year looks rosy for both.

This was called the goodwill final. Each had had to leave behind traumas, Kvitova a mugging and wounding in her own home in Prague, Osaka a tacit mugging and wounding by Williams as she beat the American great in that US Open final. Kvitova's story tugged more at the heartstrings, Osaka's at a sense of justice. Kvitova's win would have been a fairytale, but Osaka's is an even more instructive and compelling tale.

Osaka fires back a forehand.Credit:Eddie Jim

The contest honoured the billing in its quality. In the first four games, they managed to return only five serves between them; this would be a search for the smallest opening. Kvitova was more solid, and more artful, too. Her left-handedness appeared to throw Osaka as she landed three exquisite drops shots, antithetical in this battle.

But Osaka hit hard and deep and hung tough, because that's what she does. Saving serve from 0-40 seemed to galvanise her. When she made a crucial break early in the tie-breaker, she danced a mini-pirouette, and whirled on to win the set. It was the first set Kvitova had lost in the tournament.

The finalists embrace after the match on Rod Laver Arena.Credit:Eddie Jim

Incidentals suddenly seemed to matter. Kvitova had been rampant, but also had had a charmed run. The only player she had met and beaten ranked higher than 35 was Australia's Ash Barty. Osaka had beaten three in the top 15, four in the top 30. It was good form that now held.

Osaka and Kvitova tussled in intent, absorbed silence, on the court and in the stands, and it was itself a noise. As far as anyone at Rod Laver arena was concerned, you could have your faraway fireworks. A ruddy sunset overheads and this high-calibre match were Australia Day show enough.

Petra Kvitova fights back to claim the second set.Credit:Eddie Jim

In the second set, the gloves came off. As they whaled at one another, the scoreline became skittish as it was not in the first set. Kvitova broke early, but Osaka regathered to win four games in a row. Kvitova loosened, her underpinnings seemingly shaken by the percussive effect of Osaka's game.

At 5-3 and 40-0 on Kvitova's serve, the title was all but hers. Suddenly, all changed. Kvitova won 24 of the next 28 points to save, then win the set, and launch herself into the third. Osaka's precocious cool dissolved. Twice, she double-faulted, crucial failings. Tears rose in her eyes, she dashed a ball into the court, and when the set was lost stalked off to the toilet with a towel over her head. It might have been a shroud.

Naomi Osaka is Australian Open champion and the new world No.1.Credit:Eddie Jim

What could beat resussication on this scale? How about full-blown resurrection, from under that shroud. Osaka re-emerged as if nothing had happened, broke Kvitova and led the dance again. Again, she had Kvitova 0-40 on serve, again Kvitova rallied, mixing desperation and inspiration to win five points in a row. But having already performed an immediate miracle, the impossible proved too much for the Czech.

Osaka's triumph breaks a succession of eight different winners of women's majors. At just 21, she is the renewal the men's side of tennis can only talk about.

Osaka with the silverware.Credit:Eddie Jim

The broadening and deepening in the women's game contrasts starkly with the hegemony in the mens. In their arena, there have been only eight different winners in the last 15 years, covering 60 majors. There won't be another here. At least one of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have appeared in 57 of those finals, and on Sunday night it will be Djokovic and Nadal again. No one is complaining. In this tournament, they have been irresistible, perhaps more than ever.

But it does the pose the question that teases tennis eternally; what is preferable, dynamic competition, but few stars, or a cabal of superstars, but concordant predictability? This tournament suggests that the multifaceted women's game is in a good place. That said, Osaka might be about to enact a hostile takeover.

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