NAOMI Osaka powered her way to a second Australian Open title with a comprehensive straight sets victory over Jennifer Brady.
Osaka’s class and experience ultimately proved too much as she raced to a 6-4 6-3 victory in just under an hour and a half.
It was the first grand slam final with a significant crowd since last year’s Australian Open and with both players producing shots of the highest quality in particular during the first set those lucky enough to bag a ticket were treated to a spectacle.
Victory gives Osaka her fourth grand slam title at the age of only 23 and she looks set to be a dominant force in women’s tennis for some time to come.
“Firstly I want to congratulate Jennifer, we played in the semis of the US Open, so a couple of months ago, and I told anyone that would listen that you were going to be a problem — and I was right!” Osaka said in her on-court interview.
“I want to thank my team, I’ve been with them too long. We’ve been through quarantine together and for me they’re like my family, they’re with me through training, matches, nervous talks before my matches, I’m really appreciative of them, so this one’s for you.
“I want to thank the fans thank you for coming and watching. I didn’t play my last grand slam with fans so just to have this energy it really means a lot, thanks so much for coming.
Thank you for opening your hearts and your arms towards us and for sure I feel like playing a grand slam right now is a super-privilege so thank you for this opportunity.”
BBC SPORT