Australian Open 2019 women's final LIVE: Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova in thrilling three-set epic
Re-live the action from the Australian Open women’s singles final on Saturday morning as Naomi Osaka beat two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in an epic back-and-forth encounter.
Osaka clinched her second Grand Slam in a row after winning the US Open last year, but she was made to fight for it after Kvitova responded to losing the first set to take the second. Kvitova, despite being in scintillating form having not lost a set all tournament, was appearing in her first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon 2014, with the 28-year-old Czech suffering a six-month lay-off in 2017 after she was injured in a knife attack in Prague.
Osaka clinched the first meeting between the two players, and by emerging victorious Osaka will replace Simona Halep as world No 1 in Monday's updated rankings. Follow the live action below.
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Australian Open women's final between Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova, brought to you from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
The final is due to start at around 8:30am GMT, so stick with us for all the pre-match build-up and latest news as we tick down the minutes until we get underway.
This has the makings of a brilliant final between two players at the top of their game. Osaka, 21, is playing in her second consecutive Grand Slam final after winning last year's US Open while Kvitova, seven years her senior, is playing in her third Grand Slam final, having won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014.
Paul Newman is our man in Melbourne - here's his preview of today's final.
Naomi Osaka's run to this morning's final has been much trickier then her opponent's, and the Japanese star has done well to overcome four seeded players - two from a set down.
Petra Kvitova has taken full advantage of a kind draw, with players such as 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, last year's winner Caroline Wozniacki and second seed Angelique Kerber all knocked out early in her section.
Another (big) sub-plot to today's match is the winner will become world number one. A lot at stake for both players, in what is their first ever meeting would you believe.
Both players are now out on court, and we are five minutes away from the start of the Women's Final as the players undergo their usual pre-match warm-up.
Osaka shows some nerves as she starts with a double-fault, but backs it up with two first-serve's Kvitova is unable to return.
The Japanese goes wide with a backhand, but goes 40-30 up with a forehand winner down the line. The Czech goes long with a backhand, and Osaka wins the first game of the contest.
Kvitova strolls through her opening service game, pummelling her shots from the back of the court. The Czech's swinging lefty serve will be a running theme throughout and won her two free points in that game - she holds to love.
First opportunity for Kvitova on her opponent's serve, as two big returns force 0-30.
Osaka's responds emphatically with two big serves of her own, before a brilliant backhand return cross-court from the Czech sets up the first break point of the match, but she goes long on her backhand.
Osaka holds, saving two break points in the process.
Another sweetly struck Kvitova return off the backhand sets up break point number two, but Osaka soaks it up and Kvitova nets.
After Osaka sets up game point, Kvitova wins the point with a forehand passing shot, but Osaka makes it works second time round, as Kvitova goes long from the back of the court twice.
