For the first time ever, Japan has a tennis world number 1!
Naimoi Osaka, was able to oust Petrick Kivitova in the 2019 Australian Open women’s singles final in 3 close sets , 7-6, 5-7, 6-4!
Coming into this tournament, these two women were ranked 4 and 8 in the world, but because of the standings being so close, eleven women for eligible for that title, should they win this tournament, and here were the final two ladies duking it out .
The first set was a tight one as both players weren’t letting go of their serve , forcing it into a tiebreak. In the breaker, Osaka, showed how winning the US Open last year, made her an even better player , as she steamrolled over Kivitova 7-2 , and take a 1 set to love lead in this final.
The second set was once again tight, but this time there was a break of serve and it was Kivitovas ! Osaka took a 4-3 lead and held serve , to move within one game away of the championship.
It looked like that would happen on defense, as Osaka raced out to an 0-40 lead and had 3 championship points.
However, Kivitova continued to be calm, cool and collected, and saved all of them!
This deflated Naomi, as Kivitova came back to steal the second set 7-5, and force this championship match to a winner take all set!!
With the championship on the line, both players gave it their all, as they wowed with their incredible toughness and resilience ! But in the end, Osaka got the break of serve, and didn’t let it go this time , wining the final set 6-4, to take home her second straight grand slam title.
Truly incredible !
Via Naimoi Osaka herself on twitter!
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