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First set: Osaka 3-3 *Kvitova (*denotes server)
If there’s one story of the match so far it’s that Osaka wants to rally and Kvitova really doesn’t. She’s really taking the game to the Japanese on her first serve and she’s been proficient so far. But Osaka’s busyness on court keeps her in the game and she forces an unforced error to earn her first break. Kvitova isn’t having any of it, bangs down a winner and delivers a fist pump. That gives her the required jolt and a classy drop shot brings up advantage before a booming first serve sees Osaka sky her return.
First set: Osaka* 3-2 Kvitova (*denotes server)
The first signs of pressure with Osaka down 0-30 as Kvitova ups her returning game. A 192kmh first serve helps alleviate some of that, and then the Czech can only parry the next serve way, way too long. That brings up a, “come on!” from the Japanese but Kvitova picks her angle with a full swinging backhand to bring up break point. However, she’s long after a small rally.
Written by James Piercy
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/jan/26/australian-open-final-naomi-osaka-petra-kvitova-australian-open-live under the title “
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