Blockbuster Australian Open Finals In Store
There is a contrast in storylines in Melbourne for this year’s Australian Open finals, but that does not mean that either is less riveting.
Opening this weekend’s sporting extravaganza, Saturday’s women’s final will see Petra Kvitova take on Naomi Osaka as two of the biggest hitters in the sport face off, attempting to add a new Grand Slam to their collection.
Neither player is a stranger to the big occasion. Kvitova already has two Grand Slam titles to her name, having won in Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, but, somewhat surprisingly, this is her first appearance in a Grand Slam final on a hard court.
The Czech world No. 6 also has a wealth of experience of playing under pressure, having guided her nation to the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas title on no fewer than six occasions.
Osaka may not have the same experience, but she has made back-to-back Grand Slam finals, and she showed in the first that, despite being just 21 years of age, she can cope with anything that is thrown at her.
The US Open final last September will undoubtedly hold bittersweet memories for the Japanese world No. 4, but if she can maintain the level that saw her defeat Serena Williams in New York and sweep aside all-comers in Melbourne this year, those fans with tickets to the title decider will certainly get their money’s worth.
If one of the biggest titles the sport has to offer being on the line was not enough, there is another prize at stake when the two meet this weekend, as the winner will be crowned not only Australian Open champion, but also the new world No. 1. Neither player has accomplished that feat to date, with Osaka sitting on a career-high ranking of No. 4, while Kvitova reached the No. 2 spot in 2011.
Sunday’s action sees the men take centre stage as the Australian Open throws up yet another mouth-watering clash between two of the sport’s greats, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Memories of their last meeting in Melbourne, the 2012 final, instantly come flooding back. Djokovic and Nadal played out the longest Grand Slam final in history, which Djokovic claimed 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7(5) 7-5 in a staggering 5 hours, 53 minutes.
This is the 53rd meeting for these two titans of tennis, and the Serbian holds a slight advantage in their head-to-head, leading Nadal 27-25.
As well as being ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the world, the two players sit at No. 2 and No. 3 of the all-time men’s Grand Slam winners list. Nadal is looking to collect an 18th title, and move to within two of Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20, while Djokovic looks to claim a 15th major and take sole ownership of the 3rd place he currently shares with Pete Sampras.
Nadal has been in imperious form in this year’s tournament, and is yet to drop a set, though there are always injury issues surrounding the Spaniard when he is playing on a hard court.
Djokovic has rarely looked troubled in Melbourne Park, and may well hold a psychological edge going into the match. He has won eight of their last 10 meetings and, outside of the Roland Garros clay, which Nadal has made his own, the Spaniard has not triumphed in a Grand Slam meeting between the two players since the 2013 US Open final.
Should he triumph on Sunday, Djokovic will claim an historic 7th Australian Open title, something no man in the sport has ever achieved. Nadal meanwhile, is attempting to become the first man in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam at least twice.
Though both matches are too close to call, one thing is certain. There will be fireworks in Melbourne this weekend.
