Osaka Wins AO, Becomes World Number One

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Naomi Osaka defeated Petra Kvitova 7-6(2) 5-7 6-4  to win the Australian Open on Saturday.  The win earned her the world number one ranking .  She is the first player from an Asian country to hold the world number one ranking.  With her US Open win over Serena in 2018, Osaka now has won two back to back grand slam titles.

In a 2 hr 27 minute match, Osaka blew three championship points in the second set but stayed focused to win.  The shy and humble Japanese player told  Kvitova during her speech at the trophy presentation,  “I’m really honored to have played you in the final of a Grand Slam”. She added, ” I read notes before this but I still forgot the rest of what I was supposed to say”.

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Osaka Vs Kvitova and Nadal Vs Djokovic. Who’s the pick?

The finals are set! It’s Osaka Vs Kvitova and Nadal Vs Djokovic.

Petra Kvitova has not lost a set on the way to the final. She easily beat Amanda Anisimova, Ashleigh Barty and Danielle Collins in her last three rounds. She goes in as the favorite against Naomi Osaka who had to go 3 sets in 3 of her 6 matches. Though I expect Osaka to put up a good fight, this is Kvitova’s lose.

Nadal has been in beast mode, running over opponents like he does on clay. With an improved serve and a healthy body, he has looked very good. His win against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has a game similar to Roger Federer, was impressive to say the least. Djokovic had a couple of tough matches but was in fantastic form in the semi final against Lucas Pouille. Djokovic appeard to have an injury in the earlier rounds but clarified in the post match interview after the semi final that he is fine. It should be an interesting final. Djokovic can counter Nadal’s offensive but I think Nadal is playing at such high level that he wins this one.

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