2021 Australian Open - a Grand Slam tournament, on Hard, in Melbourne, Australia, 8-21 February 2021.
Defending champion:
Sofia Kenin (14) who defeated Garbiñe Muguruza 4-6 6-2 6-2
Women’s Final:
Jennifer Brady (22) (USA) v Naomi Osaka (3) (Japan)
Jennifer Brady will be contesting her first Grand Slam tournament singles final, while Naomi Osaka is the 2019 Australian Open champion, reigning US Open champion, and holder of the 2018 US Open crown, her first major.
In the three matches between the pair, Osaka has won the past two, most recently in three sets en route to her 2020 US Open trophy.
Brady has won just the single title from her only final, the Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky, August 2020.
Osaka has won six titles (from nine finals), three at Grand Slam level, two Premier Mandatory and one Premier.
Osaka surrendered 13 sets and 39 games in the six matches played in reaching the final.
Brady surrendered 14 sets and 40 games in the six matches played in reaching the final.
After the first four games, things looked ominous for Brady - Osaka opened with an easy service hold, and while Brady had 40-0, she was dragged back to deuce before levelling. Her second service game was a disaster with two double faults included in a resultant break for Osaka who promptly held for 3-1.
Then the world turned upside down. Osaka began missing and unforced errors flowed, leading to Brady breaking back, then confidently serving up a love game. 3-3.
Despite an ace and a backhand winner, Brady was down a break point in the eighth game. She managed to extract herself from that predicament, but her poor first serve percentage was giving her a number of trips to deuce. A service winner finally allowed her to finish the game and it was 4-4.
Osaka found trouble at 0-30, missing with her first delivery, but Brady let her off the hook with two shots hit long. An awesome American backhand lob winner set up break point which was answered with an Osaka forehand just as wonderful.
Danger ultimate averted for the number three seed, and Brady would be serving to stay in the set.
Attacking tennis from Brady but 40-15 became set point for Osaka following a double fault in between two errors. Another unforced error donated set one to Osaka 6-4. Sad finish to a competitive opening.
As tight as set one was, the second began with Osaka in command, Brady clearly despondent, service broken and down 3-0 very quickly.
15-40 in game four, and a Brady forehand into the net secured for Osaka a double break - this final was rapidly coming to a close.
Osaka was careless in game five, and gave Brady a look at break point twice. The second was converted thanks to a netted Japanese backhand and Brady remained in the match by the skin of her teeth.
A love game then for Brady at just the right time and Osaka’s lead had been trimmed to 4-2.
Osaka steadied and moved to within one game of her fourth major, second here in Melbourne.
Serving to stay alive, Brady received a winner from Osaka first up. She replied with a forehand winner of her own.and an Osaka error took her to 30-15.
A wild Brady backhand and 30-30. A better backhand for a winner and game point. Deuce following a sizzling Osaka backhand. Two Osaka return errors and Brady held, meaning Osaka would serve for the match.
Backhand and forehand errors from Brady. 30-0. Forehand too long from the American. Three championship points. Only one needed as another Brady return landed long.
Naomi Osaka won the 2021 Australian Open women’s singles title 6-4 6-3.
She now moves up to #2 in the world rankings, but in reality she is clearly the world’s best, now the reigning US Open and Australian Open champion.
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