Kvitova against Osaka is very far from the final I had imagined for the Australian Open this year, and to take the positive spin on that it is of course that not everything always goes according to plan!
Kerber had a very strong 2016, while Serena has been around a couple of decades but otherwise is has been rare for the women players to back up a great performance in the following Slams. Since Osaka won an unexpected US Open and by her own admittance have had a few problems mentally dealing with the ensuing hype I had strong doubts about her here in Melbourne.
Just because I doubt her abilities, I am certain she will prove to be a future giant of the game, but I just didn’t see it coming already.
Thanks for your kind words everyone, especially @ashbar96
I could not be more happy to be back in a Grand Slam semifinal! Pojd!#ausopen pic.twitter.com/mS24NM6qis
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 22, 2019
When it comes to Kvitova I simply didn’t believe in her because when it comes to Majors she has failed to deliver anything worth noting since Wimbledon 2014, and her best performances have come at the US Open.
So here we are and what should we make of the final then? To be honest: not a clue! A more open final one has to search very hard to find in my opinion.
Usually, there is a favourite where one can more or less argue why she will end up winning as expected or you can build a case for why you should go with the outsider. This one simply seems open.
One of them will experience something new apart from winning in Melbourne. Both have a 100% winning record in Major finals. Osaka won the US Open while Kvitova won her two Wimbledon-finals, but one will have to yield this time around.
Sensational striking from @Petra_Kvitova !
Takes out @sydneytennis defending champion Kerber 6-4, 6-1! pic.twitter.com/pawBYLJJov
— WTA (@WTA) January 10, 2019
When it comes to performances en route to the final Kvitova has brushed any resistance aside. She has yet to drop a set and only once has she been pushed to a breaker. Only 28 games she has lost.
Osaka has had to work a bit harder with three 3-setters along the way. Does that speak for Kvitova then? Mentally, as well as physically. she could be fresher.
On the other hand, she has not even come close to being tested like Osaka. The highest ranked player Kvitova has faced was 15 seed, Barty. The next highest was Collins at 35.
♀️@Naomi_Osaka_'s itinerary as she prepares for her first #AusOpen final against Petra Kvitova pic.twitter.com/b6hJOzBvZD
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2019
Osaka has played always dangerous Hsied, seeded 28, she has played 11th seed Sevastova, who beat Osaka twice in 2018, she faced Svitolina, seeded 4th and a player who also beat Osaka twice in 2018 before overcoming 8th seed Pliskova in the semis.
A much tougher road to the final to say the least and where does that leave her? Mentally spent or has she reached a point where she is quite simply “in the zone” and doesn’t believe she can be broken?
For her to get this far is a testament to how strong she is mentally so should I pick a winner, I would go with Osaka at 2.10. However, is really looks wide open and we have no head-to-head to analyse. I will take a pass initially and wait for the live-betting to get underway.
