World No.4 Naomi Osaka has become the first Japanese player in history to reach an Australian Open final after blasting her way past Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, on Thursday.
The reigning US Open champion produced a strong display in what was a roller-coaster clash against Pliskova, who was on a 10-match winning streak entering into the Melbourne semi-final. Against the world No.8, Osaka fired 15 aces and 56 winners past her. Furthermore, she claimed 81% of the points behind her first serve and saved six out of the eight break points she faced in the match.
“I kind of expected it a little because I played her so many times and honestly, she beat me more than I have beaten her. I was expecting a hard battle.” Osaka commented about her latest win over the Czech.
“I just told myself to regroup in the third set and no matter what, just try to serve as hard as I can.” She added.
Playing for a place in a grand slam final, it was inevitable that nerves would play a factor early on. Nevertheless, it was Osaka’s powerful hitting that prevailed against her opponent throughout the first set. Three games into the match, the Japanese No.1 secured her first break for a 2-1 lead after hitting back-to-back backhand winners down the line. Firmly in control of proceedings, Osaka continued to pile the pressure onto her opponent with a series of baseline exchanges. Easing to a double break for a 5-2 lead with the help of a Pliskova double fault. She went on to close out the set with two consecutive aces.
Heading into the clash, Osaka has won 58 consecutive matches after clinching the opening set. However, an elevation in Pliskova’s game saw her start to trouble her rival as they exchanged breaks at the start of set number two. Pliskova’s determination was similar to that of what she shown against Serena Williams two days ago after coming back from 1-5 in the decider. Matching Osaka game-by-game, it would be just one patchy service game that proved pivotal. As Osaka served 4-5 down, a series of errors unexpectedly handed the Czech a trio of chances to take the match into a decider. She capitalized on her first opportunity with the help of a deep forehand shot to draw an error from Osaka.
Following her disappointing end to the second set, Osaka went out guns blazing in the decider with the help of a 10-point winning streak to nudge ahead 3-1. Battling for a spot in her second consecutive grand slam final, she earned her first match point with the help of a forehand cross-court winner. Victory was then sealed with an ace down the centre of the court, which was originally called out. However, a successful hawk-eye challenge from Osaka reversed the verdict. Prompting delight and relief on her face.
“Just the experience of playing matchers like this.” Osaka replied when asked if her US Open triumph helped her stayed calm. “To be honest, I was so scared serving second serves, I was like ‘oh my god please.’ Somehow I made it. I guess that’s experience, I don’t know.”
Awaiting Osaka in the final will be another Czech in the shape of Petra Kvitova. Kvitova downed Danielle Collins in straight sets earlier in the day to record her best grand slam run since winning the 2014 Wimbledon Championships. The upcoming meeting will be the first between the two on the tour.
At stake in the final will also be the world No.1 ranking for the winner. Osaka has already ensured that she will enter the world’s top three when the standings are updated on Monday. Becoming the first Japanese player – man or woman – to do so in the history of the sport. Should Osaka clinch the No.1 spot, she would become the youngest player to do so since Caroline Wozniacki back in 2010.
21-year-old Osaka is the youngest player to reach back-to-back grand slam finals since Ana Ivanovic back in 2008.
