Naomi Osaka survives Petra Kvitova surge to claim Australian Open title
Naomi Osaka beat Petra Kvitova to win the Australian Open title and claim the world number one spot – but she was made to really battle for it.
The Japanese star backed up her US Open crown by claiming her second successive Grand Slam in Melbourne in an absorbing contest.
The first set was very tight as serves dominated before Osaka won it on a tiebreak.
She looked like she was going to cruise to victory in the second two, before the wheels inexplicably fell off.
Leading 5-3 and with two match points, Osaka uncharacteristically crumbled, losing three games on the bounce to surrender the second set.
However, her wobble did not last long, and she was able to wrestle the momentum back from Kvitova in the decider before closing out a 7-6 5-7 6-4 win.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Pat Cash: British tennis blew a big chance to capitalise on Andy Murray’s success
-
-
Exclusive: Mats Wilander gives his verdict on rising superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas to Tennis365
-
Comment: Alexander Zverev’s disdain for Stefanos Tsitsipas sows the seeds of great rivalry
-
Super-coach Patrick Mouratoglou opens up the impact he has had on Serena Williams
-
Latest
-
NewsRemorseful Miyu Kato makes winning return to action after French Open ball girl controversy
The Japanese player and her women’s doubles partner Aldila Sutjiadi were defaulted after Kato hit a ball girl with a ball.
-
French OpenSara Sorribes Tormo shoots down poor sportsmanship suggestions
Sara Sorribes Tormo has defended the protest she and Marie Bouzkova lodged.
-
NewsCoco Gauff knows she needs to improve against Iga Swiatek at French Open
The Pole lost only four games in last year’s championship match meeting between the last eight foes.
-
French OpenHolger Rune benefits from slack officiating in narrow French Open win
There was controversy in Holger Rune’s victory over Francisco Cerundolo as umpire Kader Nounin missed a clear double bounce.
-
NewsCoco Gauff gains French Open quarter-finals for a third year in succession
The American is looking to match last year’s run to the final.
-
NewsAndy Murray sets out to demonstrate he still has grass courts chops
The two-time Wimbledon champion made a winning start to his campaign on the grass of Surbiton.
-
French OpenCasper Ruud grateful for the deep court at Phillipe Chatrier
Casper Ruud had to have watertight defence to overcome the big-serving Chilean
-
Tennis NewsAndy Murray makes clinical start to grass court season with Surbiton Trophy first round win
Andy Murray eased to a 6-3 6-2 win over Hyeon Chung powered by a pinpoint first serve.
-
French OpenDisqualified doubles pair divide opinion in French Open ball girl drama
The incident has split opinion but some feel there is no debate.
-
NewsNovak Djokovic explains why his daughter wanted to meet Neymar ‘badly’
“It was a pleasure and an honour to meet them,” Djokovic.