 "With 25th Grand Slam looking increasingly uncertain, Novak Djokovic could fulfill another dream next year")
 "Handshake Row: India didn’t do anything out of ordinary, athletes have often registered protests like this")
Preview: Japan’s Naomi Osaka will take her perfect record in Grand Slam deciders into the Australian Open final on Saturday, where she will attempt to make it four out of four at the expense of America’s Jennifer Brady. A second trophy at Melbourne Park would mean the 23-year-old from Japan has won half the majors she’s contested since her first Slam title at the US Open final in 2018 — an infamous match forever remembered for Serena Williams’s implosion. Osaka’s demolition of Williams in the semi-finals ended the 39-year-old’s latest attempt to win a record-equalling 24th major, and reinforced the belief that the Japanese world number three heads a generation that is taking over from the American. The quirky but increasingly confident Osaka has never lost after reaching the last eight of a Grand Slam, and is riding a 20-match winning streak that dates back a year. She is now aiming to become the first woman’s player since Monica Seles to win her first four Grand Slam finals. “I have this mentality that people don’t remember the runners-up,” Osaka explained. “I think I fight the hardest in the finals. I think that’s where you sort of set yourself apart.” Osaka is the hot favourite against 22nd seed Brady, who is making her Grand Slam final debut after serving 14 days’ hard quarantine before the tournament, unlike other players who were allowed out of their hotel rooms to train. The pair first clashed as juniors in Florida seven years ago, when Brady won. Osaka has won both their matches since with their rivalry hitting new heights in the second of those, last year’s epic US Open semi-final. Eventual champion Osaka prevailed 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 6-3 in a nerve-jangling encounter, dubbed by some as the best match of the truncated 2020 season. “Was probably (in the) top two matches I’ve played in my life,” Osaka said of the classic at Flushing Meadows. “I think the matches I remember the most when I’m having a very hard time. I think about that match a lot.” ‘She hits it huge’ Third seed Osaka believes she has sharpened her game since then, which will be crucial to blunt the strong-serving American. “I play a little bit different now,” said Osaka. “I think my returns are better. I can’t fully base everything on that match, but definitely it’s something to reference.” Brady, 25, has not faced a higher-ranked player in her run to the final, helped by the exits of world number one Ashleigh Barty and defending champion Sofia Kenin on her side of the draw. Having not lost a set until her three-set thriller against Karolina Muchova in the semis, Brady knows she is in for a fight against a player she long believed was destined for stardom. “We grew up playing junior local tournaments in Florida,” she said. “I remember playing her, I was, like, ‘Wow, she hits the ball huge. She’s going to be good. She’s got something special.’” Brady, who “didn’t really like” tennis as a youngster, but rekindled her love for the sport at college, has revelled in self-belief since her breakthrough in New York, but admitted the cauldron of a Slam final will be a new experience. “I don’t know how I’m going to feel on Saturday,” she said. “There are going to be moments, games, points where I’m going to be thinking… ‘Wow, this could be my first Grand Slam title.’” Despite being two years younger, Osaka is more experienced on the highest stage and said she has learned to be calmer about big-match occasions. “I used to weigh my entire existence on if I won or lost a tennis match,” she said. “That’s just not how I feel any more.” With inputs from AFP.
Australian Open 2021 Highlights: Naomi Osaka beats Jennifer Brady to win her second Australian Open
Australian Open 2021 Women’s final: Japan’s Naomi Osaka maintained her perfect record in Grand Slam deciders by beating Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 to win her fourth major title.
 "Australian Open 2021 Highlights: Naomi Osaka beats Jennifer Brady to win her second Australian Open")
That’s it for today folks!
Naomi Osaka’s win meant that she now has four Grand Slam titles to her name, an achievement that is nothing to be scoffed at! Tune back in tomorrow, when Novak Djokovic will have to hold off Daniil Medvedev if he is to win a ninth Australian Open title! Until then, goodbye!
That winning feeling!
Naomi Osaka speaks after the match:
Firstly, I want to congratulate.. (Looks towards Jennifer Brady) Do you like to be called Jenny or Jennifer?.. (Brady says Jenny) I would like to congratulate Jennifer. We played each other at the US Open, and I told everyone that you were going to be a problem, and I was right. I know your team is like your family, and you have great adventures together, so congratulations to them too. You spoke about your mum watching, and I’m sure she and your friends and everyone else is very proud of you. I know we’re going to play a lot more matches against each other.
I would like to congratulate my team, I’ve been with them a very long time now. They’ve been with me all the way, and this one’s for them.
Last, but not least, I want to thank you for coming and watching. It means a lot to me, because in my last Grand Slam final there were no fans. This energy means a lot to me. Playing a Grand Slam right now is a huge opportunity, I won’t take it for granted. Thank you guys so much.
Jennifer Brady speaks after the match:
Hello everyone, first I would like to congratulate Naomi on another Grand Slam title, what she’s doing is amazing and I hope young girls watching are inspired her. I would also like to congratulate her team, you guys are doing something special and she’s getting better every day.
I would like to say thanks to my team, Michael and Daniel. Without them I wouldn’t be where I was, let’s keep working and doing more.
Thanks to Craig Tiley and his team. I was in quarantine, and they worked hard to make sure everything was just right.
Thanks to all the ball kids, umpires and everyone who came out here to watch and support us. Thanks to everyone at home, I know my mum is sitting at home and watching the tv crying.
It was special to play my first Grand Slam final in front of fans. Hopefully there will be many more.
CHAMP!
Set 2 Stats!
Game, Set, Match, Championship: Naomi Osaka wins the final 6-4, 6-3!
Naomi Osaka claims the first point with an inch-perfect shot placed into the corner of Brady’s court that the American cannot get to in time. Brady then hits a couple of returns long, and Osaka has three championship points. She finishes off with a huge serve down the middle, that Brady hammers long. NAOMI OSAKA HAS HER FOURTH GRAND SLAM TITLE!
Jennifer Brady 4-6, 3-5 Naomi Osaka* (* denotes next server)
Jennifer Brady has done well today. Even if she’s not been up to the level of her oppoent, the American has left everything out on the court, and has fought bravely. But Osaka has just been too good. The Japanese star trades winners with her American counterpart and we’re at deuce in this set. Brady looks under pressure, but she plays well to grind out yet another hold. Naomi Osaka will serve for the match.
Jennifer Brady* 4-6, 2-5 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)
Great play from Jennifer Brady, she’s not going down without a fight. She absolutely blitzes to a service hold. Osaka begins her service game with two huge serves which Brady cannot return, and then loses a point after a lengthy rally when her forehand clips the top of the net and bounces out of play. Some more excellent play from the Japanese star takes her to 40-15, before an identical error involving the net makes it 40-30. Brady misses a forehand, and Brady will now serve to stay in the match!
Jennifer Brady* 4-6, 1-4 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)
An error apiece, and it’s 15-15. Surely this is a must-win game for Jennifer Brady, she has to break Osaka. She does well to take the game to 30-30, but a backhand winner from Osaka gives the Japanese star game point. Brady shows some real strength of character to dig deep and unleash a few quality forehands, and the third has enough firepower on it to evade the reach of Naomi Osaka. Deuce! Brady has advantage, and if she can break, it would do her confidence a world of good. She can’t though, a rare long rally ends with an attempted slice from Brady that lands in the doubles alley. Deuce. Brady shows some good defence to force Osaka into a mistake, advantage to her again. Brady breaks! Great work from the American!
Jennifer Brady 4-6, 0-4 Naomi Osaka* (* denotes next server)
Fairly straightforward service hold for Naomi Osaka, she races into a 40-0 lead before giving away a couple of points. But just as it looks like Brady might be able to push her a little, Osaka completes the hold with a lightning-quick ace. Brady looks at her wits end, there’s nothing she can throw at Osaka that’s causing her any problems. The unforced errors are also creeping up for Brady, she makes a couple of them to give Osaka break point on her serve. Brady buries a forehand in the net, and Osaka is up double break in the second set!
Jennifer Brady 4-6, 0-2 Naomi Osaka* (* denotes next server)
What a start to the second set by Naomi Osaka! After holding her service game with ease, the Japanese World No 3 does really well to force the issue and apply some pressure on Jennifer Brady, who commits a series of mistakes to relinquish a break. Despite her momentary slip up in the first set, Osaka really does look like she’s headed towards yet another Grand Slam title, and if there’s anything Jennifer Brady is going to do about it, she should act quickly.
Set 1 Stats
First Set: Naomi Osaka takes it 6-4!
Can Osaka get a break, or will Brady hold serve? The first point goes Brady’s way thanks to a great serve. The second also goes to Brady after she thwacks a forehand winner past Osaka. A Brady backhand then flies long, it’s 30-15. Another mistake from Osaka, and Brady has game point. Brady fires a backhand long. 40-30. Aaah, double fault from Brady! Real moment of nerves from the American, we’re on deuce. A Brady forehand is hit a couple of meters long, and Osaka has set point. Brady as a shocking miss on a forehand and Osaka takes the first set!
Jennifer Brady* 4-5 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)
Osaka misses her first serve, and the second one is tame, allowing Brady to take control of the rally and force Osaka into a mistake. A point apiece for either player makes it 15-30, before Osaka’s huge serve levels the game. Brady then comes up with a moment of pure magic, as she races to an Osaka volley, and lifts it over her head, leaving Osaka stranded at the net. Brady has break point! Not for long though, Osaka lands another big first serve, it’s deuce. Two back to back mistakes, and Osaka holds serve! Brady will serve to stay in the first set.
Jennifer Brady 4-4 Naomi Osaka* (* denotes next server)
What can Jennifer Brady do to get the better of Naomi Osaka? At the moment, it looks like focusing on defensive play and trying to force her opponent into making a mistake is her best way out of this. Osaka has break point after a few quick exchanges, but she can’t convert, it goes to deuce. A mistake from either players and we’re back on deuce. Brady hits a huge ace, and she has advantage. She needs this, it’ll be tough to come back from a break down so late in the first set. She makes an error, deuce again. Brady then whacks a thunderous forehand winner across court, and follows it up with a big serve to hold under pressure.
Jennifer Brady* 3-4 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)
Naomi Osaka lands the first serve, and Brady cannot return. Brady then outlasts Osaka on a couple of rallies, with the Japanese star making some really sloppy mistakes. Osaka pulls it back with a couple of great serves though, and wraps up the hold when Brady hits a return long.
Jennifer Brady 3-3 Naomi Osaka* (* denotes next server)
Well, that was strange. After looking so in control early on, Naomi Osaka seemed a bit rattled in the last game. Can Jennifer Brady take advantage of this nervy spell? She gets the first point thanks to a belter of a backhand winner down the line, and then wins the second point thanks to forehand down the exact same part of the court. A couple more unforced errors from Osaka, and Brady holds serve.
Jennifer Brady* 2-3 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)
A small rally ends with Brady making a mistake, and Osaka is really piling on the pressure early. She does make a mistake on the second point though, what should have been a straightforward backhand is hit into the net. Osaka’s also missing a lot of her first serves at the moment. She hits another shot into the net, and Brady is up 15-30. Brady works hard to force the game to deuce, and then has a break point, thanks to a double fault from Osaka. Osaka makes a mistake to hand Brady the break, and we’re back on serve!
Jennifer Brady 1-3 Naomi Osaka* (* denotes next server)
Naomi Osaka gets the first point, after opening up her body and unleashing a cannon of a forehand winner. Double fault from Brady, 0-30. Brady then engages in a brief rally with her opponent before burying a backhand in the net. 0-40 and three break points to Osaka. Double fault, and Naomi Osaka draws first blood!
Jennifer Brady* 1-2 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)
Jennifer Brady does well to fire a return back to Naomi Osaka’s forehand, and the Japanese World No 3 cannot get her shot over the net. 0-15. Brady then loses back to back points, 30-15. A huge serve from Osaka down the middle of the court, and Brady’s return flies long, before Osaka rushes to the net on the next point and forces Brady into a mistake to wrap up the hold.
Jennifer Brady 1-1 Naomi Osaka* (* denotes next server)
It’s Jennifer Brady’s turn to display the power in her serve, and she puts some real juice into it to race into a 40-0 lead. She then commits a double fault, before two errors mean that it’s deuce. Brady has struggled a little with accuracy over the course of the tournament, and while it didn’t cost her the game against Karolina Muchova, Naomi Osaka is unlikely to leave these errors unpunished. Brady manages to grind out the hold however, that’ll give her a bit of confidence.
Jennifer Brady* 0-1 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)
Naomi Osaka will get us off with the serve, after winning the toss, and straightaway, she shows off one of her biggest weapons by holding serve to love. Jennifer Brady couldn’t even get near three of those serves.
The players are out onto the court and we’re just about ready to begin!
via GIPHYHere’s how the pair’s past encounters have played out!
Naomi Osaka’s path to the final!
Jennifer Brady’s path to the final!
Naomi Osaka just about edges Jennifer Brady on their head to head record
Hello and welcome to Firstpost.com’s coverage of the Australian Open women’s final!
Jennifer Brady will take on Naomi Osaka in a bid to win her first-ever Grand Slam title, but in order to do so, she’ll have to break her Japanese opponent’s perfect record in Grand Slam finals. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates and the live score from what’s bound to be a thrilling encounter!
WWE SummerSlam 2025 Night 2 results: Cody Rhodes beats John Cena in wild title match
Brock Lesnar's return headlines Night Two of WWE Summerslam Cody Rhodes defeats John Cena to become the Undisputed WWE Champion Becky Lynch defeats Lyra Valkyria to stay Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
More Impact Shorts "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
Top Shows
