Naomi Osaka beat Petra Kvitova 7-6(2) 5-7 6-4 to become the first Japanese player to win the Australian Open on Saturday.
The 21-year-old Osaka also becomes the first tennis player from Japan to reach number one in the rankings.
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Osaka held three match points at 5-3 in the second set but couldn’t close it out. She allowed Kvitova to come back and win 23 of 27 points to take that set and go up 1-0 in the third.
But Osaka regained her composure and her big-shot ability down the stretch, breaking to lead 2-1.
Osaka added this trophy to the one she collected by beating Serena Williams in a chaotic US Open final last September.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe congratulated the 21-year-old.
“The thrill of a hard-fought victory! Congratulations on winning the Australian Open, Naomi Osaka,” Abe wrote on his official Twitter page.
“I am very proud of the emergence of a new queen. I look forward to your continued accomplishments.”
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