Japan's Osaka beats Kvitova to win 2019 Australian Open
22-year-old Japanese beats Czech Petra Kvitova 2-1, becoming world number one in women's tennis
Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Karolina Pliskova (not seen) of Czech Republic during Australian Open 2019 Women's Singles match in Melbourne, Australia on January 24, 2019. Osaka reaches the Australian Open final after won the match with 2-1. ( Recep Şakar - Anadolu Agency )
By Fatih Erel
ISTANBUL
Japan's Naomi Osaka won 2019 Australian Open on Saturday after beating Czech Petra Kvitova and became world number one in women's tennis.
The 21-year-old Japanese won 2-1 with 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4 in the final on Saturday.
Australian Open champion Osaka replaced Romania's Simona Halep as the world number one.
"Thank you
"I would not have wanted this to be our first match but huge congratulations to you (Kvitova) and your team. You are amazing and I am honored to have played you in a Grand Slam final," Osaka said.
"Thank you to everyone who made this possible. I always love to come back and play here. And to my team, thank you for everything. But mostly, thank you for sticking with me even though we didn't know if I would be able to hold a racquet again," Kvitova said.
The 28-year-old Czech player claimed her first Grand Slam final since being stabbed in December 2016.
Following the final, Kvitova also became the world number two.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
