World no. 1, Novak Djokovic of Serbia has lifted the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup for the seventh time, after defeating the world no. 2, Rafael Nadal of Spain 6-3 6-2 6-3. Djokovic has now lifted the trophy more times than any other man, and he has also overtaken Pete Sampras in number of Grand Slams won, having won his 15th on Sunday.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning championship point in his Men’s Singles Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Djokovic held his serve to love in the opening game, and then got two break points in the next game when Nadal hit a backhand unforced error. A seemingly nervous Nadal handed his opponent the early break when he sent a forehand long. Djokovic had another chance to break in Nadal’s next service game, but he hit the ball long on break point, preventing him from converting it and allowing Nadal to finally win a game.

Games went with serve from there, giving Djokovic the opportunity to serve for the set at 5-3. He dropped his first point on serve – having held to love in every other service game – to go 0-15 by hitting a forehand unforced error. But he didn’t let this get to him as he went on to win the next four points to take the first, ending with a 21 shot rally that gave Djokovic the set when Nadal hit a forehand into the net.

In the second set, Djokovic broke in the fifth game, when a backhand unforced error by Nadal brought up a break point, and then a volley off Nadal’s racquet that just missed the baseline converted it. Nadal hit an impressive drop shot to go 15-0 that Djokovic couldn’t get to in time, and gave a thumbs up to, but the Serbian was able to break in this game when he sent a forehand winner down the line to bring up a break point. It was then converted when Nadal hit a backhand into the net.

Djokovic had a 5-2 lead and served out the set in the eighth game. He won the first point with a forehand winner and then took the second set with three consecutive aces.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand in his Men’s Singles Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Djokovic broke the Spaniard’s serve again in the third game of the third set. A long forehand by Nadal brought up two break points, and whilst Nadal was able to save one by forcing Djokovic to hit a forehand into the net, he couldn’t save the second as he returned a drop shot into the net, allowing Djokovic to convert the break point.

In the sixth game, Nadal got his first break point of the match when Djokovic sent a ball into the net off his forehand. However, Nadal didn’t convert this break point as he sent a ball into the net. Djokovic was able to hold, keeping his break at 4-2

The next couple of games went with serve until a forehand winner down the line by the Serbian on Nadal’s serve brought up two championship points. One was saved when Djokovic hit a backhand long, but then Nadal made the same error on the next point, meaning Djokovic didn’t have to serve it out.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Men’s Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.(Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

Despite the fact that Nadal had soared through to the final, having not dropped a set all fortnight, Djokovic was just too good for him, and didn’t ever let him into the match.

No shot symbolised Nadal’s struggles more than the forehand, which accounted for 15 of his 28 unforced errors, having been the essence of his run to the final. In contrast, Djokovic was almost flawless, making just nine errors throughout the entire match and firing 34 winners to Nadal’s 21.

“Congratulations to Novak and all his team – it was an amazing level of tennis tonight,” said Nadal, who failed to take a set in the final of a Grand Slam for the first time.

“Sometimes this tournament has been tough on me in terms of injuries, and other times in terms of opponents, like tonight.

“It’s been a very emotional few days. Even if tonight wasn’t my best day, of course, I played somebody that played much better than me tonight, it’s been a very positive two weeks for me.

“Even if tonight was not my night, for me it’s so important to be where I am again, coming back from injury. I really believe that I played a great two weeks of tennis, and that’s going to be a good energy, good inspiration for what coming.”

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the trophy after beating Rafael Nadal of Spain in the men’s final on day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)

This win in Melbourne for Djokovic is his third consecutive Grand Slam victory, and it means that he now possesses three of the four Grand Slam trophies.

“I had the surgery exactly 12 months ago. And to be standing now here, in front of you today, having won this title and three of the four Slams, is truly amazing,” Djokovic said, having had surgery on his elbow not long after his fourth-round loss at the 2018 Australian Open.

“Marian (Vajda), thank you for coming back to my team,” he added, thanking to the coaching team whose return mid season last year fuelled his runs to the Wimbledon and US Open titles as well as world No.1. Then, he paid tribute to his wife Jelena and children Stefan and Tara who were back in Europe.

“I hope they’ve been watching – at least before the match they said they’d watch,” he joked. “Trophies are even more special when I have someone so dear, so special in my life to share this with. They are my dearest people on this planet next to my two brothers and my parents.”

Australian Open Men’s Final Press Conferences

Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal

Japan’s Naomi Osaka faced off with the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova in the Australian Open women’s final. Not only would the winner lift the trophy they would also rise to no. 1 for the very first time.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and Naomi Osaka of Japan pose for a photo prior to their Women’s Singles Final match during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Kvitova was the fan favourite after looking to win her first Grand Slam since her comeback from the home invasion injury that almost ended her career in 2016. This was their first head-to-head meeting.

Osaka, the current US Open champion, opened the serving and perhaps was feeling nervous as she served a double fault. The Japanese player composed herself and took the opening game.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan plays a backhand in her Women’s Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

Kvitova earns first breakpoints

In the fifth game, it was Kvitova that had the first look at a breakpoint after she had hit a blistering backhand to win the point. Osaka saved the break before Kvitova had another opportunity, she was, however, unable to convert.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic plays a backhand in her Women’s Singles Final match against Naomi Osaka of Japan during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

The next service game for Osaka saw her down three break points but she dug deep and won five straight points to escape. As games went with serve for the remainder of the set we saw Kvitova and Osaka in a tiebreaker. It was Osaka that got on top to win the first set.

In the second set it was Kvitova that got off to the best start, holding serve and then breaking for a 2-0 lead when the Czech player blasted a forehand that her Japanese opponent was not able to return.

Osaka was not letting Kvitova take control of the set without a huge fight. Kvitova was on the edge of taking a 3-0 lead as she three times held game point only to see those points slip away. Osaka eventually worked her way to game point after a Kvitova double-fault. A backhand unforced error followed and Osaka had hit back.

The 21-year-old Japanese player went on a run of four straight games to edge closer to back-to-back Grand Slam titles, her power hitting combined with good serving then took her to 5-3 with Kvitova to serve.

Championship points slip away

Osaka had her hand on the trophy when holding three championship points in the ninth game. The Czech player would stage an amazing fightback to save the game, then break to level the set at 5-5.

Momentum had swung the way of the older player as she broke Osaka’s serve and then held serve before breaking the Osaka serve again to take out the set 7-5.

Osaka was looking rattled and you would have thought Kvitova would make a run for the title. Osaka instead was able to recompose and put up a valiant fight after Kvitova had opened the set for a 1-0 lead.
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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts in her Women’s Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

The US Open champion would hold serve then a double fault from Kvitova in the next game set up a break point which Osaka converted with a backhand winner.

In the seventh game Osaka looked to be cruising to the title, she had three breakpoints after a string of errors came from Kvitova. The Czech player would again dig her way out of that situation and won the game for Osaka to be serving at 4-3. A love service game took Osaka one game away from claiming her first Australian Open title.

After Kvitova held serve it was Osaka standing at the service line four points away from victory. She raced to three championship points after an Ace, a forehand winner then a force error. Kvitova got one point back only to see Osaka close out the match with a big serve that Kvitova returned wide.

Osaka claims her second Grand Slam title

Osaka was fairly reserved as she claimed the title and the no. 1 ranking. She had a beaming smile as she looked across to her support team and then calmly went to the net to embrace her opponent.

“It’s hurting a lot today,” said the two-time Wimbledon champion, after her 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4 loss to Osaka. “I wanted to win and have the trophy. But I think I already won two years ago,” she added, referring to her successful comeback from a home invasion in late 2016, which left her with her serving hand severely injured and doctors unsure if she could ever return to top-flight tennis.

“For me, it’s amazing,” the 29-year-old Czech continued. “I think I still don’t really realize that I played the final. I think, I mean, I’ve been through many, many things, not really great ones. As I said on the court, I didn’t know if I’m going to hold the racquet again. I’m holding it, so that’s good”.

The final was one to be remembered. It was won rather than lost as both players were hitting quality shots and Osaka stood up when it mattered and calmly served out the match.

Champion at the US Open last summer, the 21-year-old survived a mid-match hiccup to extend her Grand Slam match winning streak to 14 straight – and became the first maiden major champion to win two in a row since Jennifer Capriati in 2001 – after two hours and 27 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

“I mean, for me, I feel like it hasn’t really sunk in,” Osaka told press afterward. “Maybe in the next tournament I play, if I see the No. 1 next to my name, I’ll feel something. But for now, I’m more happy that I won this trophy.”

“Last year I lost in the fourth round,” Osaka recalled, speaking of losing the second set. “Now this year I was in the final, so I wanted to be happy about that and just basically have no regrets about today.

“I just thought to myself that this is my second time playing a final. I can’t really act entitled. To be playing against one of the best players in the world, to lose a set, suddenly think that I’m so much better than her that that isn’t a possibility…”

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates with the trophy after beating Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the women’s final during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)

Also read – Japan’s Naomi Osaka claims first Grand Slam title amid Serena coaching controversy

World no. 1, Novak Djokovic has made it a perfect seven from seven semifinals at the Australian Open, ending no. 28 seed, Lucas Pouille’s career-best tournament 6-0 6-2 6-2 to make it to his seventh Australian Open final, where world no. 2 Rafael Nadal awaits.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand in his men’s semi final match against Lucas Pouille of France during day 12 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

Djokovic was on top early, earning several break points in the second game. Pouille saved a couple, but eventually he conceded the game after a double fault. Djokovic was on a roll and took the set without letting Pouille win any games in just 23 minutes.

In the second set, Djokovic opened with a hold and then Pouille finally won his first game for 1-1, but it was long before Djokovic broke again at 2-1. Once again Pouille conceded with a double fault. Pouille was more competitive throughout this second set, but Djokovic still was able to remain in control, winning the set by breaking the Frenchman’s serve yet again.

Djokovic continued to play at an extremely high level, and it was more of the same as he broke for a 3-1 lead after Pouille hit long on break point. The Serbian held to love three consecutive times, only dropping three points on his serve in the first game of the set. He held to love a total of seven times throughout the match, allowing him to dominate.

Pouille held to in the sixth game, but in his next service game, Djokovic was able to break again to take the match. The match lasted a total of 1 hour and 23 minutes, with the Serb only hitting 5 unforced error in the entire match.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Lucas Pouille of France plays a forehand in his men’s semi final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 12 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

In his on-court interview Djokovic said “It’s definitely the best match I’ve ever played on this court.”

Djokovic is looking to move clear of Roger Federer as they both hold six Australian Open titles. He is also seeking his third consecutive Grand Slam victory, having won both Wimbledon and the US Open last year.

Of their 52 previous career meetings, the only previous Australian Open showdown between Djokovic and Nadal was in 2012, when the Serbian triumphed after 5 hours and 53 minutes, winning the longest Grand Slam final of the Open era.

Djokovic leads their head-to-head 27-25, beating Nadal in their last meeting in the 2018 Wimbledon semi-final. It was another long one, lasting  5-hours and minutes and spanning two days.

 

World no. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain has defeated ATP NextGen star Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-2 6-4 6-0 to book a spot in the Australian Open final. It is Nadal’s fifth final in Melbourne, but he hasn’t won the final since his first in 2009.

Tsitsipas upset 6-time Australian Open champion and 2-time defending champion, Roger Federer in the fourth round, and was hoping to now upset Nadal, but the combined 15 hours spent on court to reach the last four caught up with Tsitsipas, as his energy levels weren’t up to standard.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Men’s Singles Semi Final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day 11 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

Nadal first broke when he forced an error from Tsitsipas with a backhand down the line to lead 2-1. Nadal then broke again in the seventh game when two consecutive double faults by the Greek lead to another break point for Nadal. Nadal then served for the set, winning it when he forced an error off Tsitsipas’ backhand.

Nadal had a triple break point in the fifth game of the second set that was brought up by a ball off the Spaniard’s racquet that clipped the net to passed Tsitsipas who was in position to volley. But Tsitsipas was able to fight back from 0-40 down to hold his serve and lead 3-2.

Nadal managed to break in the ninth game to have a 5-4 lead, allowing him to once again serve out the set. He got three set points when Tsitsipas hit a backhand down the line too long. A could serve by Nadal that Tsitsipas couldn’t successfully return gave the Spaniard the set.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece plays a backhand in his Men’s Semi Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 11 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

In the third set, Nadal didn’t let Tsitsipas get a single game. The Greek showed signs of frustrations after he hit an easy shot long, taking the score to 15-15 when he was down a double break at 3-0  by smacking a ball that went flying into the crowd. He was handed a warning for doing this, but the release of anger did not help him as he had his serve broken again by the Spaniard.

Nadal served for his place in the final, but he sent two easy volleys into the net, giving Tsitsipas his first break point of the match at 30-40. Nadal was not letting his opportunity to close out the match slip away and he won the next three points to take the win.

Nadal will face either six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic or first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Lucas Pouille for a chance to lift the trophy again after 10 years. The world No.1 and Frenchman meet in the second semifinal on Friday night.

Petra Kvitova has defeated the unseeded American who had never won a Grand Slam main draw match until last week, Danielle Collins to advance to the Final of the 2019 Australian Open 7-6(2) 6-0. It is Kvitova’s first Grand Slam final since she won Wimbledon in 2014 and her first final in Melbourne Park.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic celebrates match point in her Women’s Semi Final match against Danielle Collins of the United States during day 11 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

It was a scorching 38 degrees Celsius in Melbourne, as the Australian sun shined down on Rod Laver Arena, meaning the conditions favoured Collins, who comes from Florida.

Collins was the first to break serve in the first set, doing so in the fifth game, when she attacked Kvitova’s second serve, sending the ball cross court, forcing the Czech to hit the ball long. Collins was unable to consolidate the break despite saving four break points, but Kvitova broke back on her fifth break point with a forehand winner to level the score at 3-3.

With the new extreme heat policy, which is based on a scale of 1-5, the roof of Rod Laver Arena was closed as the scale reached 5 at 4-4. Collins did not favour this decision, whereas Kvitova was extremely pleased.
“I like play indoors so it (closing the roof) really I think helped me a little bit.” Kvitova said during her on-court interview after the match.

The set was eventually taken to a tie-break as there were no more breaks of serve. Kvitova stormed ahead, and had four set points. She only needed one, winning the tiebreak 7-2 with a forehand winner, therefore taking the first set.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 24: Danielle Collins of the United States plays a forehand in her Women’s Semi Final match against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during day 11 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Kvitova’s form only got better from here, as she totally dominated the second set, not allowing Collins to win a single game. There were calls on the American’s serve which she didn’t agree with, causing her to be frustrated, possibly contributing to her loss of momentum. But winners from Kvitova, especially in the moments where it mattered most, allowed her to run away with the match.

Kvitova played 30 winners throughout the match, whereas Collins only managed 9.

“It (reaching the final) means everything I think, you know that why I really work very hard to be in the final of the tournaments, final of the major.” Kvitova said post match. “Finally I could make it kind of deep in this major and I will really enjoy the final, and, yeah, what ever happened I’m already very very happy.”

The Czech is currently on an 11 match winning streak, as she took the Sydney International title just two days before the Australian Open began. She is also yet to drop a set in her path to the final at the Australian Open.

Kvitova will face either Naomi Osaka or Karolina Pliskova was a chance to lift the Daphne Akhurst trophy. All three of these women have never reached the Australian Open final before, and they also all in the running to leave Melbourne with the no. 1 ranking. Whoever wins the title, becomes the world no. 1.

Video highlights

Later today the four remaining women in the singles draw will fight it out for two spots in the final. Three of the women are also fighting for the no. 1 ranking in women’s tennis.

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Photo: 22nd January 2019, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia; Australian Open Tennis, day 9; Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic celebrates after her win against Ashleigh Barty of Australia (photo by NaFoto/Action Plus via Getty Images)

First to take to the court are Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic and Danielle Collins from the USA. That match will be followed by the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova and Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

Kvitova and Osaka are both Grand Slam champions, Kvitova with Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014 and Osaka won the 2018 US Open.  The Czech player has been as high as no. 2 back in 2011 and Osaka sits at a career-high no. 4. Pliskova has reached no. 1 back in July 2017.

Collins fighting only for the title

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Photo: 22nd January 2019, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia; Australian Open Tennis, day 9; Danielle Collins of USA celebrates after her win against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Of Russia (photo by NaFoto/Action Plus via Getty Images)
The odd one out in this foursome is Danielle Collins. She has come from never winning a Grand Slam singles match from five previous attempts to being one match away from the final. Collins sits at a career-high ranking of 35. For her, it is all about Grand Slam glory as she fights to lift the trophy come Saturday night.

Pliskova is looking to emulate Caroline Wozniacki who claimed her first Grand Slam when she won the 2018 Australian Open title, that got the monkey off her back in terms of being a world no. 1 without ever winning a Grand Slam title. The closest Pliskova has come to a major title is when she was runner-up to Angie Kerber at the 2016 US Open.
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Photo: 23rd January 2019, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia; Australian Open Tennis, day 10; Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic returns the ball against Serena Williams of USA (photo by UNaFoto/Action Plus via Getty Images)

The Race for No. 1

In the race for no. 1 Osaka is ahead in the live rankings with 5810 rankings points, Kvitova is at no. 2 with 5770 and Pliskova has 5100 and sits at no. 5. If Pliskova makes the final she needs to go on and win the title to also claim no. 1. Kvitova also needs to win the title to take no. 1. If Osaka reaches the final but then loses to Collins the Japanese player will be no. 1. All players would put winning the title ahead of the no. 1 ranking, but it is a nice bonus.
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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts in her quarter final match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

The semifinal matchups

Kvitova and Collins met for the first time just a few weeks ago in a round one match at the Brisbane International. On that occasion, the Czech player battled past Collins 6-7(6), 7-6(6), 6-3. Kvitova also played Australia’s Ash Barty in two matches in close succession when they met at the Sydney International in the final and then in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. The first meeting was a closely contested battle whereas the second meeting was more one-sided. That suggests Kvitova might have an easier time with Collins the second time around.

Collins is a two-time NCAA champion in the US College system, it is a massive step up to be playing for a spot in a Grand Slam final. She is a feisty player and enjoys nothing better than getting into someone’s face. How she handles the pressure of playing of the big stage is the big unknown.

Osaka and Pliskova reached the semis in drastically different ways. The young Japanese player crushed an injured Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-1 while the Czech player staged a remarkable comeback from 5-1 down in the third set against Serena Williams, fighting off four match-points along the way.

Williams said it was Pliskova’s raised level of play that brought about her victory however Serena had injured he ankle.

Pliskova holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Osaka. All three matches have taken place on hard courts with Pliskova winning at Toronto in 2017, Osaka at Indian Wells in 2018 and then Pliskova at Tokyo, also in 2018.

We know Osaka can handle the big occasions. For Pliskova, backing up the big win over Williams will be a tough ask, but she is playing at a level good enough to lift the trophy on Saturday.

I am tipping an all-Czech final with Kvitova and Pliskova winning today. Both players have recently won titles in the lead-up events and had great wins in the quarterfinals. Osaka is a bit off her game and Collins hasn’t been this far before and might be overcome by nerves.

Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic has done what most think impossible, coming back to win from 5-1 down in the third set, with Serena Williams twice serving for the match, and holding four match points. With one of the best serves in the history of tennis, most would have strongly favoured Williams from there, but it was not to be for the American.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic celebrates in her quarter final match against Serena Williams of the United States during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Pliskova broke in the third game of the first set to lead 2-1. There were no more breaks of serve during this set, though Pliskova had the chance to take a double break lead when an unforced error by Williams brought up a break point for the Czech in the fifth game, but Pliskova hit an unforced error, preventing her from converting the break point. Pliskova served out the set, winning the final point with an ace.

In the first game of the second, Pliskova got a break point after she hit a forehand winner, but it was saved and Williams was able to hold her serve. Then in the fifth game unforced errors of the American’s racquet brought up break points for Pliskova on two occasions. Pliskova successfully broke to lead 3-2, but Williams immediately broke back with a love game to level the score.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Serena Williams of the United States serves in her quarter final match against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

In the tenth game, which lasted ten minutes, Williams broke Pliskova’s serve once again to win the set, despite the fact that the Czech had four game points before Williams even got one break point. Williams used that one break point, which was also a set point to level the match at a set all when Pliskova hit an unforced error.

Having taken control of the match in the second set, Williams’ footwork and movement was looking better and better as she charged to the finish line and was beginning to really hurt Pliskova with the force of her shots.

Williams hit a forehand return winner at full stretch to break for a 3-1 lead and then brought out three consecutive aces to hold her serve in the next game.

When she extended her lead to 5-1 by hitting an inside-out forehand return winner, nobody could have foreseen any result other than Williams closing out victory.

The comeback of the tournament begins…

Williams had a match point during the seventh game with scores at 40-30, , and it seemed like all hope for Pliskova was gone. But Williams lost the point and hurt her left ankle mid-rally. She then double faulted and eventually lost the game.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Serena Williams of the United States holds her ankle in her quarter final match against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Williams never called for a medical time out, but may have been thrown off, and Pliskova found her confidence. She held serve in the eighth game but was still behind 5-3, meaning Williams had a second chance to serve out the match. However, Pliskova had full momentum and broke back again, doing so with a love game, putting the sore back on serve at 5-4.

Williams steadied in the next game, pounding two winners and forcing an error on the next point to lead the game at 15-40, and have two more opportunities to win the match. But Pliskova saved both those match points with aggressive hitting, as well as a fourth two points later to hold her serve and level the score at 5-5.

Pliskova was leading the deciding set for the first time after she broke to love yet again, giving her the chance to be the one to serve for a place in the semi-finals. The Czech won the next seven straight points to earn a triple match point, and although she missed the first two, she converted the third when Williams hit her 37th unforced error of the match.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic plays a forehand in her quarter final match against Serena Williams of the United States during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“I didn’t have many chances in the third set set, I was a bit mentally down,” Pliskova said during her on-court interview. “But this side of the court was still better for me (with the wind) so I just said, let’s try this game on 5-2, maybe I’m gonna have a couple of chances … She got a little bit shaky in the end so I took my chances and I won.”

After the match Williams said “My ankle seems to be fine. I really hate calling the trainer out, to be honest. And at that point I didn’t feel like I needed it or I didn’t feel like it would be a big deal. So I just kept going. Karolina literally played lights out starting 5-1, 40-30. Literally I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“There’s nothing I did wrong on those match points. I stayed aggressive. She just literally hit the lines on some of them. One she hit an ace, unreturnable serve.

“I can’t say that I choked on those match points. She literally played her best tennis ever on those shots.”

With this comeback, Pliskova has booked a date with Naomi Osaka to battle it out for a place in the final.

Both Pliskova and Osaka are in the semis of the Australian Open for the first time. Osaka beat Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-1 earlier in the day to earn her place here. Pliskova currently leads the head-to-head 2-1.

Naomi Osaka the 2018 US Open champion has advanced to the Australian Open semifinals after defeating WTA Finals champion Elena Svitolina 6-4, 6-1. With the win, Osaka has moved into the no. 1 ranking on the live rankings.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Naomi Osaka of Japan plays a backhand in her quarterfinal match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

Osaka had been tested in the previous two rounds with back-to-back three-set victories over Su-Wei Hsieh and Anastasija Sevastova. Against Svitolina she fought off a challenge in the first set then steamrolled her opponent.

It was in game six that Osaka edged ahead. She earned two break points at 15-40 after back-to-back errors from Svitolina. The Ukrainian was able to save two break points before back-to-back errors cost her the game.

Svitolina quickly turned things around as she broke Osaka’s next game as errors flowed from the US Open champion’s racquet. After it was 2-3 with Svitolina serving no player held serve, it was, however, Osaka that took the set.

In the second set, it was all Osaka as Svitolina struggled with a neck and right shoulder injury. Osaka hit 31 winners to 11.

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Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Elina Svitolina of Ukraine receives treatment in her quarterfinal match against Naomi Osaka of Japan during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

After reaching the semifinals Osaka now has 5810 ranking points to 5770 for Petra Kvitova and sits as no.1. Just who will claim the official no. 1 ranking will be played out over the next couple of days. Osaka, Kvitova and Pliskova are still in the running.