2019 Australian Open – Naomi Osaka vs Petra Kvitova Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

Where is Naomi Osaka vs Petra Kvitova taking place? Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

When is Naomi Osaka vs Petra Kvitova on and what time does it start? Saturday 26th January, 2019 – not before 08:30 (UK)

What channel is Naomi Osaka vs Petra Kvitova on in the UK? This match will be televised on Eurosport (Sky channels 410 & 411)

Where can I stream Naomi Osaka vs Petra Kvitova in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription

Where can I get tickets for Naomi Osaka vs Petra Kvitova? https://ausopen.com/tickets?day=1&period=MD#!RLA

THE LOWDOWN

NAOMI OSAKA

• Naomi Osaka powered into the final of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 semi-final victory over Karolina Pliskova, who had knocked Serena Williams out in the previous round.
• The fourth seed produced a ferocious display of hard-hitting baseline tennis to reach her second consecutive Grand Slam final, following her US Open victory last year.
• Osaka has dropped three sets in the tournament so far, including the first set in two of her ties, but the Japanese star will be confident she has the ability to out-power Kvitova in their first ever meeting.

PETRA KVITOVA

• Petra Kvitova reached her first Australian Open final with a straight sets victory over the unseeded American Danielle Collins in Thursday’s semi-final.
• The eighth seed fought off a spirited Collins performance to win 7-6, 6-0 in her first Grand Slam semi-final since having surgery on her playing hand after a vicious attack in her own home in 2016.
• Kvitova will be aiming to win her third Grand Slam title following her triumphs at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, and the Czech enters the final in fine form having not dropped a set in the whole tournament so far.

THE PREDICTION

This battle between these two Grand Slam winners looks set to be a classic, with both playing wonderful tennis en-route to the final. Kvitova’s form has been rock solid all tournament, breezing into the final without dropping a set and showing a steely determination to win her first Grand Slam since suffering an horrific attack in 2016. Osaka has looked slightly shakier at times in Melbourne, but her ability to dig deep at tough moments in matches and power past opponents, as well as her more recent experience of Grand Slam success, may just be enough to edge this one. OSAKA IN THREE SETS.