Tennis: Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova in three sets for second Grand Slam title

Naomi Osaka defeated Petra Kvitova in the women’s singles final to clinch the Australian Open title at the Rod Laver Arena. Osaka secured a hard-fought 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 victory in almost three hours. The historical victory brought double delight for the fourth-seeded Osaka. With the victory at the Melbourne Park, the Japanese champion has replaced Simona Halep as world number one and became the first Asian to grab the world number one position. 21-year-old Osaka also became the first player since Janifer Capriati in 2001 to win back-to-back majors after a maiden triumph. Osaka had defeated Serena Williams in the 2018 US Open final to win her maiden grand slam title.