AO - Osaka d Pliskova, 2nd GS final in a row

Day 11 of Australian Open 2019, and semi finals.

Second match on Rod Laver Arena was:

Karolina Pliskova (7) (CZE) v Naomi Osaka (4) (JPN)

Karolina was aiming for her first AO final after a memorable victory over Serena. It would be her second GS final, having been a 2016 US Open finalist.  She beat Serena on the way to that final, so maybe a good omen for this match.

Naomi Osaka was on target for successive GS titles, having won the 2018 US Open.  She would, by winning the AO, assume the world number one ranking.

Pliskova served first, and saved a break point before holding to lead 1-0, forcing errors from the Osaka racquet. Osaka saw a pair of game points slip by, but she ultimately held on. 1-1.

A Pliskova double fault put her down two break points, and she saved those, but the Osaka backhand produced two winners and the break came, leaving Osaka ahead 2-1 with a serve to come.

A forehand winner and an ace were enough for Osaka to consolidate the break and lead 3-1.

At 2-4, Pliskova let 30-15 slide, Osaka’s forehand winner a key factor.

A break point was saved with a Pliskova winner, but a second break chance, set up by a pair of Osaka winners, was greeted by a Czech double fault and a double break for Japan. 5-2.

Serving for the set, a second ace gave Osaka a set point.  The third ace for the game gave Osaka the set 6-2 in not much over half an hour.

After exchanging service breaks in the opening games of set two, it was 1-1.  

Three Osaka winners produced three break points for the Japanese number one.  Clutch serving by Pliskova saw her win all the remaining points to hold for 2-1.  Osaka, strong with her backhand, held to love. 2-2.  Taken to deuce, Pliskova still held strong and led 3-2.

Osaka saved a break point before levelling at 4-4.

At 4-5, two unforced Osaka errors and a Pliskova winner set up three set points.  A backhand forced error and the set was won by Pliskova 6-4.

The deciding set opened with Pliskova holding serve with little problem, but Osaka needing to save three break points before it was 1-1.

Then shockingly, with a pair of Osaka winners, one off each side, Pliskova was facing three break points herself.  The first one was sufficient and Osaka led 2-1.

3-1, after a couple of aces.  

Serving at 4-3, Osaka dismissed a further break point with a timely ace and extended her advantage to 5-3.

Pliskova held with reasonable comfort but Osaka would serve for the match.

A backhand forced error put Osaka at 30-30 and gave Pliskova one last chance, but Osaka blew that one out of the water with a winning forehand to produce the first match point.

It was the only one required as Osaka delivered an ace to finish it off.

Naomi Osaka marched into her second straight GS tournament final by winning 6-2 4-6 6-4.