Australian Open 2019: Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova to win the title

Naomi Osaka of Japan beat Czech Petra Kvitova in a thrilling final of the Australian Open to win two consecutive Grand Slams and become the new world number one.

The winner of the US Open, aged 21, cried after missing three championship points in the second set, but rallied to win 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6- 4.

The fourth seed broke out 2-1 in the decision maker and then served the win.

Eighth-seeded Kvitova, 28, was attempting to win her first major title since her knife attack.

Osaka was all smiles when handing the trophy to Melbourne – unlike her victory at the US Open – and she continued her tradition of slightly awkward acceptance speeches.

"Uh, hello, sorry, talking in public is not my strong point, so I hope to be able to overcome that," she said.

"I read notes before that, but I always forgot what I was supposed to say.Thank you all, I'm really honored to have played in this final."

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who said she was lucky to be alive after the stabbing incident in December 2016, showed resilience to bring the match into third place. set while the elks pbaded from one side to the other.

The victory seemed to be inevitable for Osaka before Kvitova crashed 5-5 in the second quarter, then 12 points in a row for the first time since the start of the round.

However, after getting up at the end of the second set as she left the field for a break in the restroom, Osaka regained her concentration to take a decisive advantage in the decision.

She became the first player since American Jennifer Capriati in 2001 to follow her first Grand Slam victory immediately with another triumph.

She missed a fourth point of the championship with a long comeback, but took the fifth when Kvitova hit a forehand.

Smiling Osaka dropped to the baseline before returning to her chair and covering her face in shock as she savored the moment.

Osaka, who replaces Simona Halep at the top of the standings after spending 48 weeks in Romania, becomes the first Asian player to be number one in the world.

She is also the youngest to hold first place since the 20-year-old Danish Wozniacki won the ranking in 2010.

A type of drama different from the US Open

Osaka won their first Grand Slam by beating Serena Williams, 23-time world champion, in a spectacular final at Flushing Meadows. It will be remembered this victory for the American referee Carlos Ramos.

The Japanese player was in tears and was hiding behind her visor as she retrieved the trophy at the taunts of local fans in New York angry at Ramos, Williams having to appeal to the calm and respect of the new champion.

This time, the atmosphere where she collected the trophy could not have been more different.

The arena Rod Laver, who seemed to divide evenly in terms of support during the match, broke out when she finally sealed the win after two hours and 27 minutes.

She followed closely as she lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup before the 15,000-seat stadium fell silent as Osaka began her victory speech by saluting Kvitova's return to career.

"I would not have wanted it to be our first game, but I congratulate you and your team," she told the Czech.

"You are amazing and I am honored to have played in a Grand Slam final."

What was similar to the victory at the US Open in Osaka, however, is a match also filled with intense drama.

Servir reigned in a tight first set before Osaka dominated the tiebreaker, bolstered by the knowledge that she had won her previous 59 matches after winning the first match.

This extraordinary record, which dates back to 2016, meant that Kvitova knew that it was important to start the second set well – and she did so by taking a 2-0 lead.

Osaka pulled back at once, then moving within reach of the match before another dramatic turn.

I can not believe that I played again in the Grand Slam final – Kvitova in tears

Kvitova was playing her first Grand Slam final since her second win at Wimbledon in 2014, and many fans hoped she could tell one of the most inspiring stories of the discipline with a fairy tale end.

Moments after Osaka's victory, a touched Kvitova stood with her head in her hands as she seemed to be on the road over the last two years.

The leftywoman needed an operation by hand after the attack of a robbery committed at her home in the Czech Republic.

She suffered damage to the ligaments and tendons while fighting an intruder, but returned to the sport five months later.

"It's crazy, I can not believe I played again in the Grand Slam final," said Kvitova, whose voice broke as she held back her tears.

"It was an excellent final – well done, Naomi.

"Thanks to my team for persevering, especially because we did not even know if I could still hold a racket, it was not so easy."

Kvitova wiped her tears as Laver's crowd began to applaud and applaud.

After demonstrating an extraordinary determination to return to the sport, Kvitova also demonstrated his fight on the court to win his first Australian Open final in a decision.

Pulling from the 5-3 back in the second set, she survived three points of the championship by getting five first successive services, then found herself tied at 5-5.

This put Kvitova in the ascendant as Osaka became nervous and frustrated, with the Czech winning 18 of the last 22 points to surprise most viewers by giving them a third set.

An easy decision from the decision maker put it in the lead before the Japanese regain their composure, Kvitova has a double fault to put back the key point of the break, which Osaka punished with a setback.

Defeat means that Kvitova also failed to become world number one for the first time, although she became second in the rankings on Monday.

What the tennis world said on social media

The former world number 1 Martina Navratilova: "Well, after winning the US Open, Naomi Osaka has become a star, and now, after winning the Australian Open and becoming world number one, she is a superstar!" Congratulations Champ And Petra Kvitova – you are the champion of life !!! "

The former world number one Billie Jean King: "Congratulations to two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka – your future is so bright, and your talent, drive and determination will take you far."

French player Alize Cornet: "What a finale! Thank you ladies for showing strength, determination, courage and resilience! You are a great source of inspiration for all of us."

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Osaka has come a very long way in very, very short time. At 21, she won two Grand Slams and this time, she can look forward to this moment. It's his moment. She won it dramatically after a fabulous comeback from Kvitova.

She is the first player for 18 years to win a first Grand Slam title and win her second victory. What an extraordinarily resistant woman, what an extraordinary player.