Fourth Grand Slam success: Osaka wins final against Brady

Naomi Osaka lived up to her favorite position in the final of the Australian Open. The world number three won in Melbourne against the American Jennifer Brady in two sets with 6: 4 and 6: 3.

In the tight first sentence, Osaka looked very tense. She started with two aces in the first game and with a quick break, but on a windy day in the Australian metropolis, she initially made numerous unforced mistakes.

Osaka initially did not use a 3-1 lead. After the 4: 4, however, thanks to Brady's mistakes, the game clearly developed in favor of the former world number one. Osaka turned up mightily in the second round.

The 23-year-old increased the pace, played almost flawlessly, broke Brady's service twice in a row and quickly led 4-0.

Brady shows morale

It spoke for the American's morale and fighting spirit that she did not give up and came back to 2: 4. Osaka focused on their next serve, which they managed to make it 5-2. Brady shortened again, but with his own service Osaka decided the duel with the first match point to 6: 3 in the second set.

Fourth Grand Slam title, the second in Melbourne

With the success in Melbourne, the Japanese won her fourth Grand Slam title, repeating her masterpiece of 2019. She also triumphed at the US Open in 2018 and 2020 and the Australian Open two years ago.

She can look forward to prize money of 2.75 million Australian dollars (around 1.8 million euros) and also confirmed her form: She last lost before the season was interrupted last year due to the coronavirus pandemic in February 2020 Fed Cup.

Osaka moves up to 2nd place

In the world rankings, Osaka will move up from third to second place on Monday. Brady missed her first Grand Slam title in their first grand final on the day before the men's final between the Serbian record winner Novak Djokovic and challenger Daniil Medvedev from Russia.

But even the finals are highly creditable to the American. Before the tournament, like other professionals, including first-round loser Angelique Kerber, she was affected by the strict quarantine.

The American was stuck in her hotel room for two weeks and still achieved the greatest success of her career. Her German trainer Michael Geserer, Julia Görges' former coach, also helped her.