Australian Open Final: Osaka battles past Kvitova to capture first Grand Slam of 2019 (RECAP)

26 January 2019

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

That's the end of our live coverage of the women's final at the Australian Open.

We saw one of the world's best players prove that they can come back from a career-threatening injury to compete at the highest level once again as Petra Kvitova produced some brilliant tennis to go all the way to the final and push her opponent to the limit.

And we also saw the latest chapter in the story of the newest hero in women's tennis, as Naomi Osaka claimed back-to-back Grand Slam tournament wins, moved into the World Number 1 spot and cemented herself as a bona-fide superstar of the game.

Check out our RT Sport match report on the final as Osaka claimed the title after a thrilling match in Melbourne.

POST-MATCH PICS

FORGETFUL OSAKA PAYS TRIBUTE

Naomi Osaka paid tribute to Kvitova for coming back from her tough times, and said she always wanted to play her.

She also thanked the Melbourne crowd, who have been in her corner throughout the tournament.

Osaka admitted "public speaking isn't really my strong suit" and later revealed she'd prepared for a post-match speech, but still managed to forget half of them.

"I read notes before this, but I still forgot what I was supposed to say!"

EMOTIONAL KVITOVA SAYS THANK YOU

Petra Kvitova gets a huge ovation as she takes to the stage to receive her runner-up check and trophy.

The Czech manages to raise a smile as she stepped up to the mic and greeted the crowd with a cheery: "Hello, everyone!

"It was a great final. Well done, Naomi, and congratulations on being number one, as well."

And her emotion started to show as she paid tribute to her team, who helped her back to top form after she was stabbed in the racket hand by a home intruder back in 2016.

"Thank you for sticking with me, even though we didn't know if I would be able to hold a racket again."

TEARS OF VICTORY... AND DEFEAT

Check out the reactions of Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova as they react from their chairs after an incredible Australian Open women's final.

THE WINNING MOMENT...

GAME, SET, MATCH, NAOMI OSAKA!

Naomi Osaka holds serve and is the Australian Open champion after a thrilling three-set match with Petra Kvitova.

An ace and a brilliant forehand gave Osaka the perfect start, then an error from Kvitova gave the Japanese star three match points.

Kvitova saved one, but couldn't save the others, as she fired a service return wide left.

Osaka wins 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 after an excellent final.

Kvitova's form this week has shown that she's back to her best, while Osaka's victory proves that she is undoubtedly tennis' brightest new star.

That's back-to-back Grand Slam titles for Osaka whose victory now moves her to the top of the WTA rankings. She's now the World Number 1.

KVITOVA KEEPS IT GOING

Kvitova needed a strong service game to give her some confidence, and she just delivered one.

She wins to 15 to pull back to 5-4. Now it all comes down to the next game.

Naomi Osaka will serve for the title. Petra Kvitova needs to break serve to stay alive.

HERE WE GO!

Osaka holds and celebrates strongly as she moves to into a 5-3 lead in the deciding set. 

Kvitova's task now is a mountainous one. She MUST win both of the next two games to keep this match - and her Australian Open hopes - alive.

BALLSY STUFF

Petra Kvitova showed every ounce of her competitive spirit as she defended THREE break points to hold serve and pull back to 4-3 down in the final set.

Osaka is back to her best, and Kvitova has had to raise her own level to stay with her and keep a foothold in the match.

She still needs that break of serve, but she's hanging in there.

OSAKA HOLDS SERVE

Osaka brilliantly saves break point with a fantastic wide serve, then fires an ace past Kvitova to earn game point.

Osaka then unleashed a brilliant forehand drive that fizzed past the helpless Kvitova to seal the game and move two games clear once again.

Osaka leads 4-2 in the deciding set.

SEALED WITH AN ACE

It was only her third ace of the match, but it was a crucial one for Petra Kvitova, who held her serve to pull back to 3-2. 

She needs to find a break from somewhere, though, and the pressure is rising with every passing game as Osaka moves closer to the title.

It's still very much up for grabs, but Kvitova is the one who needs to do something out of the ordinary. Osaka just needs to maintain her form.

THE MOMENTUM IS WITH OSAKA

After losing five games in a row, Naomi Osaka is back in the groove, and has just won three in a row to lead 3-1 in the deciding set.

She holds her serve with a strong service game, and will look to pressure Kvitova once again in Game 5.

OSAKA BREAKS!

A double-fault from Kvitova gave Osaka break point, and a brilliant backhand after a baseline rally saw the Japanese star power back into the lead with the first break of the final set.

Osaka appears to have rediscovered her form, but the big question now is can Kvitova battle back again?

OSAKA LEVELS AT 1-1

Each individual point seems to feel like a turning point at this stage, but Naomi Osaka looks to have recomposed herself after losing the second set.

She holds serve to draw level at one game apiece.

Over to you, Petra...

STRONG START FOR KVITOVA

After going 5-3 down in the second set, Petra Kvitova has reeled off FIVE games in a row and leads 1-0 at the start of the third and deciding set.

This match has delivered the final everybody had hoped it would become, with momentum swings, dramatic comebacks and some brilliant play from both players.

Now the match is heading into the finishing straight, who will end up the victor?

GAME ON IN MELBOURNE AS KVITOVA LEVELS!

Osaka seems to be mentally breaking down a little on court. 

A series of errors gave Kvitova three set points at 0-40.

And a double-fault at the worst possible time gave a roaring Kvitova the second set 7-5.

Kvitova has done an incredible recovery job to save THREE match points and drag herself back into this, while Osaka seems to have lost her composure, right when she needed it most.

It's one set all, and we're heading into a decider.

It's gut-wrenching, nerve-shredding and you just can't take your eyes off it.

Who's your money on now?

NOW KVITOVA TURNS UP THE PRESSURE

Kvitova saved ANOTHER break point as Osaka piled the pressure on the Czech's serve once again at 5-5 in the second set.

Then, after Osaka put a Kvitova serve into the net, she called for a challenge. But the ball was shown to be clearly in, and Kvitova held serve to lead 6-5.

Now Osaka, whose play has veered from nervy to brilliant and back again over the last couple of games, needs to steady herself as she serves to save the second set and take it into a potentially title-winning tiebreaker.

KVITOVA IS STILL IN THIS!

A brilliant return on Osaka's second serve showed Kvitova's intention to attack, while Osaka's long backhand showed the Japanese star was dealing with a few nerves so close to the finish line.

Then a double-fault from Osaka handed Kvitova two crucial match-saving break points.

And Kvitova only needed one, as she forced another error from Osaka to break back and keep her hopes alive in a nerve-shredding second set in Melbourne.

KVITOVA GRITS HER TEETH AND FIGHTS

A disastrous service game from Kvitova saw Osaka earn THREE championship points.

But the former world number two produced a brilliant forehand drive to save the first of them. And a similar forehand forced Osaka to hit long as she saved the second.

Then a superb deep, wide serve forced another Osaka error as Kvitova saved three match points in a display of huge intestinal fortitude.

And when another deep serve won her the game, she showed that she's not done in this match. Not yet, at least.

Now it all comes down to this. Kvitova simply MUST break Osaka's serve, or it's "Game, Set, Match" for Osaka.

IT'S 'WIN OR GO HOME' TIME

Osaka holds her serve to move 5-3 ahead. Now it's all about Petra Kvitova.

The Czech first needs to hold her own serve. Then she has to break Osaka in the following game or it's all over.

There's no room for error for Kvitova now, with Osaka just one game away from the title.

KVITOVA'S STILL FIGHTING

Petra Kvitova knows there's no room for error on her serve from now on, and she held serve with a big forehand winner.

The Czech let out a huge scream as her winner secured the game and brought the score back to 4-3 to Osaka.

Now she needs to go on the attack in Game 8 in a bid to break the Japanese player's serve.

It's gripping stuff in Melbourne, and there's still more drama left to come.

OSAKA PULLS CLEAR

There's daylight between Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova on the scoreboard at the Rod Laver Arena.

The Japanese star is 4-2 up in the second set, having already captured the first.

Kvitova needs to not only hold her serve here in Game 7, but then go on and break Osaka in one of her next two service games to keep her Australian Open hopes alive.

CRUNCH TIME FOR KVITOVA AS OSAKA BREAKS!

Osaka went on the attack in Game 5 to earn three break points on the Kvitova serve, but she only needed one of them to break the Czech and surge into the lead in the second set.

After a difficult start to the set that saw her serve broken straight away, the Japanese star has now reeled off three games in a row to lead 3-2.

Now Osaka is one set up and one break up in the second set. If she holds serve for the rest of the set, the Australian Open title will be hers. 

NAOMI'S BACK IN THE GROOVE

After a game spent playing angry, Osaka looks back to her normal self, and she's drawn level with a huge cross-court backhand earning her the game as he holds serve in fine style.

This is shaping up to be another epic set.

It's all square at 2-2 in the second.

HARD-HITTING OSAKA BREAKS BACK!

The Japanese star is clearly livid at losing her serve in the previous game, and she looked to blast her way back into the set in Game 3, hitting the ball noticeably harder as she powered her way to break point.

But Kvitova showed the composure you'd expect to see from a two-time Grand Slam winner as she saved break point.

Then, after Osaka defended two game points, a rare Kvitova double-fault - only her second of the match - setup another break point opportunity.

And when Kvitova's shot hit the net cord, everyone in the Rod Laver Arena held their breath.

The ball dropped back on the Czech's side of the net and Osaka celebrated breaking back instantly.

Osaka trails 2-1 but serves to level things up in the next game.

KVITOVA MEANS BUSINESS

Osaka defended a break point, then smashed an ace past Kvitova as the Japanese star looked to fend off a concerted effort by the Czech to claim an early break.

Kvitova's forehand, which looked wobbly in the last game, looked much more fluid as she earned a second break point, then smashed a stunner of a forehand past Osaka to claim a priceless service break.

Kvitova leads 2-0 with a break in a set she simply must win. It's game on here in Melbourne!

KVITOVA HOLDS, BUT THE CRACKS ARE SHOWING

Petra Kvitova's forehand is showing a few issues here.

A few wobbles with her usually-superb forehand helped Osaka win the tiebreaker - and the first set.

And, with her opening service game in Set 2 seemingly under control, a pair of errant forehand shots gave Osaka a chance to put the pressure on.

Kvitova steadied the ship and won the game, but her groundstrokes are far from bulletproof as she looks to battle her way back and win the second set.

OSAKA WINS THE SET!

Osaka claimed an early mini-break and piled the pressure on Kvitova in the tiebreaker, slamming a huge forehand past the Czech to put her in pole position to win the set at 5-1 up.

And, after a Kvitova cross-court backhand went long, Osaka roared a celebration and clenched her fist as she sealed the first set.

Kvitova has lost her first set in the Australian Open. Can she bounce back in the second? Or will Osaka power her way to her second Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win?

GUTSY STUFF FROM KVITOVA

Two forehands into the net from Kvitova gave Osaka two separate set-point opportunities in Game 12.

But Kvitova showed nerves of steel to produce a colossal passing shot to save the first, then a big serve to force an Osaka error and save the second.

Kvitova then served out the game to level the match at 6 games each.

It's tiebreak time!

OSAKA HOLDS AFTER THRILLING GAME 11

A quite brilliant rally with net cords and brilliant shots galore was won by Kvitova, who came back from 40-0 down to pressure Osaka at 40-30.

But Osaka managed to hold her serve to win the 11th game of the match and move 6-5 in front. 

If Kvitova holds, we're going to a tiebreaker. If she doesn't, Osaka will move one set in front.

POWER AND PRECISION

Kvitova served her first double-fault of the match in Game 10, but followed up in the very next point with an exquisite backhand drop shot that left Osaka flat-footed on the baseline. 

A powerful drive down the sideline set up game point for the Czech, who converted with another brilliant drop shot to level the scores at 5-5.

Osaka is struggling to deal with the Czech's serve, and now Kvitova is mixing up her shots in the rallies, too. 

OSAKA BLASTS HER WAY TO GAME 9

After the drama of her previous service game, Osaka produced just what she would have hoped for in Game 9 - a shutout win.

The Japanese star won the game to love to move 5-4 ahead at the changeover.

When they return to the court Kvitova will serve to stay in the first set.

She hasn't dropped a set in the entire tournament. Will that stat change here?

STRONG SERVING FROM KVITOVA 

The Czech star reasserted her dominant serve with a strong game in the eighth game of the day as she draws level on serve once again.

It's 4-4.

OSAKA BATTLES THROUGH TO HOLD SERVE

A combination of strong baseline play and an Osaka double-fault saw Kvitova handed THREE break points after going 0-40 up. 

One by one, Osaka defended each break point with the typically gutsy play we've seen from her throughout the tournament.

And, after fending off some intense Kvitova pressure, Osaka went on to win the game and hold her serve.

Both players are now seriously challenging the other's service now, and it's ratcheting up the pressure with each passing game.

Osaka leads 4-3, and it's tense.

KVITOVA DEFENDS, THEN PREVAILS

After Osaka defended two break points on her serve, she turned the tables and put the pressure on Kvitova's serve for the first time in the match.

But, just as Osaka held firm on her serve, Kvitova did the same on hers as she successfully defended a break point to win the game and keep things on serve at three games all.

You can feel the tension rising at the Rod Laver Arena...

GRITTY OSAKA HOLDS ON

Things started to look a little twitchy for Osaka when Kvitova won the opening two points of the Japanese player's serve.

Osaka showed her mental strength to save two break points as Kvitova put her under intense pressure in the fifth game of the set.

But the 21-year-old held strong and held her serve, eventually winning the tightest game of the match so far to move 3-2 ahead as the opening set continued to go with serve.

KVITOVA HOLDS, AND WE'RE ALL SQUARE

No problems for Kvitova in the fourth game as she holds with ease, though Osaka did win her first points on the Czech's serve. 

That will give her a little confidence that she can start to attack her rival's serve in the coming games as she looks to earn that crucial first break.

2-2

BEFORE THE BATTLE

A quick shot of the two finalists exchanging pleasantries at the net before the first set got underway in Melbourne.

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO...

After watching her opponent win to love on her serve, Osaka upped the power in the third game to answer in kind, dominating to shut out Kvitova and hold serve with ease.

It's 2-1 Osaka, and it's already shaping up to be a fascinating contest.

KVITOVA DOMINATES ON SERVE - IT'S 1-1

Ominous stuff from Kvitova, who blasts her way to her first game, holding her serve to love and showcasing some of the power play that saw her blow away her opposition earlier in the tournament.

OSAKA HOLDS TO LEAD 1-0

She served a double-fault to start the match, but Osaka settled afterward to win the game to 30 to get that always-nervous first service game under her belt.

Now the pressure turns to the left-hander from the Czech Republic. Can Kvitova dominate on her serve?

WE'RE OFF AND UNDERWAY

Naomi Osaka will serve first as the action gets started at the Rod Laver Arena.

THE PLAYERS ARE ON COURT

Osaka and Kvitova are now on court, hitting up ahead of the start of their final.

Neither woman has ever won the Australian Open before, and neither woman has ever held the WTA World Number 1 spot before.

The winner of today's final will walk away from the Rod Laver Arena with both of those accolades to their name.

THE RISING YOUNG STAR

Naomi Osaka's ascent to world tennis star took place last year when she went all the way to the US Open final and defeated Serena Williams to capture her first Grand Slam title.

That final was clouded by controversy, with Williams' row with umpire Carlos Ramos overshadowing Osaka's deserved victory, leaving her in tears after her 6-2 6-4 win.

Speaking after her win, she admitted: "There's a lot of stuff I want to say about how I felt. 

"For me, I don't know, the memory of the US Open is a little bit bittersweet... it wasn't necessarily the happiest memory for me."

Osaka will look to secure a much happier memory in Melbourne by defeating Kvitova and capturing her second Grand Slam.

THE COMEBACK QUEEN

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was already a major force at the sharp end of the women's game before a horrible incident in her home nearly saw her lose her career.

An intruder attempted to rob Kvitova's home and stabbed the Czech star in her racket hand as she looked to defend herself and her home.

It put her career on hiatus while she rehabbed her injury and got back to full form, but it also left her with mental scars that proved even tougher to heal.

But now the former WTA world number two is on the verge of a third Grand Slam win and the number-one spot in the sport after producing some of the best tennis of her career

It would cap a remarkable comeback for the 28-year-old if she could finish the job and claim the title in Melbourne today.

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

We're just a matter of minutes away from the start of the women's final at the Australian Open, so let's get some final pre-match views from the two competitors.

HEAD TO HEAD

Remarkably, Osaka and Kvitova have never met before on the court, with today's final marking the occasion of the first competitive match between the two.

A glance at their respective stats shows that the older Kvitova has a significant experience advantage over Osaka, having won 26 WTA singles titles to Osaka's two.

But Kvitova hasn't won a Grand Slam tournament since Wimbledon in 2014, while Osaka captured the title in the most recent Grand Slam tournament, the 2018 US Open.

Both women have a 100% record in Grand Slam finals, with Kvitova winning twice at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, and Osaka victorious in New York in 2018.

In boxing parlance, someone's 0 has gotta go...

MEETING THE FANS

Despite the pressure of only her second Grand Slam final, Naomi Osaka is still finding the time to meet with her fans.

The young Japanese player is one of the brightest young stars in women's tennis, and catapulted to stardom with her US Open title last year.

Now she's bidding to become a two-time Grand Slam winner.

128 STARTED... NOW 2 REMAIN

One hundred and twenty-eight players kicked off the women's tournament with hopes of Australian Open glory, but now we're down to the final two, and their respective runs to the final couldn't have been more different.

Osaka had to battle her way through a host of tough matches to book her place in the final, while Kvitova blew away her opponents as she produced some of the best tennis of her career on the blue courts of Melbourne.

Now the rising young star of tennis faces off against the comeback queen in what promises to be a thrilling final.

GOOD MORNING!

Welcome to RT Sport's live coverage of the women's final of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

We'll bring you live updates throughout today's final between Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova as the two tennis stars face off at the Rod Laver Arena.

Up for grabs are the Australian Open women's title, the first Grand Slam tournament title of 2019 and the WTA World Number 1 spot in the women's rankings.

It should be a thrilling matchup.