Osaka ascends the throne as the new queen of tennis
● Naomi Osaka recovered from a dramatic second-set collapse to defeat Petra Kvitova and be crowned Australian Open champion and the new world No 1.
The 21-year-old from Japan, the first Asian man or woman to top the singles rankings, built on her maiden title at the US Open with a 7-6 5-7 6-4 victory to make it back-toback slam successes.
Judging by what will surely be the first two of many slam finals, Osaka does not do routine. But, while her victory over Serena Williams in New York was all about controversy and meltdowns, this time the drama was all on the scoreboard.
At a set and 5-3 with Kvitova facing three match points, Osaka looked poised to stroll over the finish line only to lose four games in a row and the second set.
She had lost her head, too, but one of the most impressive things about her this fortnight has been the way she has overcome every mental hurdle placed in front of her and so it proved again.
Kvitova, who would also have become No 1 with victory, was playing in her first grand slam final since winning her second Wimbledon title in 2014 and only two years after the knife attack at her home that put her career in the balance.
The Czech had won her last eight finals and played her part in a high-quality encounter but in the end had no answer.
Osaka and Kvitova are two of the biggest hitters on the women's tour and long rallies were scarce as both looked to unleash at the first opportunity.
Osaka came under pressure at 2-2 and 3-3 but saved a combined five break points, while also seeing a break point on the Kvitova serve well saved by the Czech.
The pair had never faced each other before, and Osaka’s lack of experience against top-class left-handers was one of the matchup’s unknown factors.
Osaka struggled to read Kvitova’s serve initially but picked up the pace in the 12th game, forcing two set points. She could not take either, though, Kvitova producing a tremendously gutsy forehand to save the first and then a big serve on the second.
But the Czech was simply outplayed in the tie-break, Osaka powering a return onto the line for a winner on the second point and not looking back.
Given Osaka had won her last 59 matches when taking the first set, the size of Kvitova's task was clear, but the 28-year-old responded well and secured the first break of the match on her seventh chance.
However, a missed opportunity to make it 3-0 looked costly as Osaka won five of the next six games. When she won the next three points to bring up three match points, it appeared the trophy was hers. But the Czech mounted an unlikely comeback.
Osaka was struggling to hold back tears as she left the court for a bathroom break.
Ending Kvitova’s run of five straight games was crucial and, when Osaka powered a backhand full of anger and frustration past Kvitova to break for 2-1, the power had shifted once more.
Stepping up to serve for the match for a second time, Osaka’s demons were nowhere to be seen and she clinched her fifth match point. — © The Daily Telegraph, London
“I am excited to play in my first pink ODI and it’s going to be a big game with the series on the line. If we win that game, we close off the series. It’s going to be a big game for us and for me personally and I’m excited and looking forward to the game,” Hendricks said.
While there’s the onus of ensuring Pakistan don’t take the series to the fifth ODI in Cape Town where they could be back in slower and familiar conditions, there’s also the need to ensure that form players are getting a decent run.
Hendricks has again muscled himself into a position where he could be a World Cup option, especially with Rassie van der Dussen having left his calling cards in Port Elizabeth and Durban.
Hendricks understands the need to have healthy competition, especially in a World Cup year where current performances carry more weight than potential.
“I think it is good and healthy competition. I also think its good to know that there’s a few guys whom I wouldn’t say I’m fearful or wary of. It’s healthy competition and I’m looking to contribute in every game for the team and whatever happens, happens,” Hendricks said.
“There are guys that are experienced and have played in a few World Cups but those World Cups are behind us. With the leadership, we’re trying to approach it differently, take things as they come and try to build and learn series by series and game by game. I think that’s what we’re doing at the moment and we're on the right track.”
While World Cup pressure moments can’t be replicated in the competitive but relatively stress-free world of bilateral series, chases ask more questions than defending totals. While the rain and SA’s smart cricket helped them on Friday, chasing 318 in 50 overs is a tough ask on any day. Had the rain not intervened, a character test would have woven itself into the chase. Hendricks though appreciated the fact they were put under pressure and came out of the game unscathed as the World Cup will have booby traps laid everywhere. With the tournament reverting to the popular and successful 1992 format of each team playing against each other, slip-ups can be terminal.
“It’s good that it’s happening because these are the kind of challenges we need before a World Cup so we can test ourselves in these games and see if we can chase these totals in pressure moments leading up to the World Cup. The pressure right now isn’t as much but having the confidence of knowing we’ve done it now can work on a bigger stage,” Hendricks said.