2021 Australian Open happens to be the 109th edition of the prestigious Grand Slam event, as the operations of the women's department came to an end, with Japan's Naomi Osaka easily overcoming the challenge of Jennifer Brady of the United States of America in the final, in Melbourne, on Saturday. It was Osaka's fourth Slam title of her career, besides being the second at AO, as she won this tie in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
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Osaka was into the groove right from the beginning, as Bardy was under some pressure, playing her maiden Slam final. Although the initial few games saw a ferocious exchange of back-and-forth, the Japanese seemed to be in better control of it. Later, Osaka gained complete control of the opening set and all it took for her was a break to take the lead in the same set, as she won 6-4.
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The second set happened to be an utter one-sider, as Osaka was flawless with her strokeplay in all departments. Although Brady managed to hold on to her serve on three occasions, it was yet another break that sealed the set in Osaka's favour, who took the second set 6-3.
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Osaka has now registered a 21-game winning streak with this win, while she is also on a 14-game winning streak at Slams. She also happens to be the only Japanese woman to have won at the event. She has also managed to maintain a 100% win record in the final, having won on all four occasions so far.
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“Just to have this energy, it really means a lot. Thank you so much for coming. I feel like playing a Grand Slam right now is a super privilege. And, it’s something that I won’t take for granted,” said Osaka after the final.
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“For me, I have this mentality that people don’t remember the runners-up. You might, but the winner’s name is the one that’s engraved. I think I fight the hardest in the finals. I think that’s where you sort of set yourself apart,” she added.
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“Another GS title. She’s such an inspiration to us all. Obviously, you guys are doing something special. She’s only getting better,” concluded Brady.
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