Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka beats Jennifer Brady in straight sets to take women's title

Nathan Williamson

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Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka beats Jennifer Brady in straight sets to take women's title image

World No. 3 Naomi Osaka has claimed her second Australian Open following a dominant 6-4 6-3 win over Jennifer Brady.

Osaka and Brady traded service breaks in the first eight games as neither player could gain momentum.

However, the 23-year-old Osaka would take over, taking advantage of a sloppy Brady service game to take the first set 6-4.

From here, it was all Osaka, immediately breaking twice to take the first four games of the second set.

While Brady would claim one of the breaks back, Osaka was unfazed, serving it out to claim her fourth grand slam title.

Brady was full of praise for Osaka's efforts both on and off the court after her win.

"She's such an inspiration to us all and what she's doing for the game is amazing and getting the sport out there," Brady said.

"I hope young girls at home are watching and are inspired by what she's doing."

Given the extensive effort that Australian Open organizers and the state had gone through to ensure a 50 percent capacity could attend the final, Osaka was grateful to be able to add to her growing tally of titles.

"I didn't play my last Grand Slam with fans, so just to have this energy, it really means a lot. Thank you so much for coming," she said.

"Thank you for opening your hearts and your arms towards us. I feel like playing a Grand Slam right now is a super privilege and it's something I won't take for granted, so thank you for this opportunity."

Osaka v Brady results

Osaka's win has put her in a special group of players, having won her first four grand slam finals. She joins Monica Seles and Roger Federer as the only three to do it in the Open era.

It adds to her 12-0 record when she gets into the final eight of a grand slam.

Osaka was gracious in her acceptance speech, complimenting Brady on her success.

Osaka defeats Brady 6-4, 6-3

Brady keeps the pressure on, making Osaka serve the match out.

As she has for the majority of the match, Osaka would give Brady little hope of a comeback, serving it out to win her fourth grand slam title

Not done yet

Jennifer Brady refuses to quit, getting one of the breaks back in the fifth game.

Facing elimination, Brady would go for broke, finding a way to break Osaka's serve.

She would then hold her serve to keep herself in the match. 

Osaka would bounce back, holding her serve to put the pressure back on Brady. Osaka 6-4 5-2.

Dominance

Not many other words for it, this second set for Osaka has been dominant.

She would once again break Brady, taking a 4-0 lead into the set. Osaka 6-4 4-0.

Osaka cruises ahead

Naomi Osaka has continued her dominance into the second set.

Osaka's ruthless instincts were on full display as she broke early in the set.

She would consolidate to take the first three games of the set. Osaka 6-4 3-0.  

Osaka snatches first set

After a back and forth set, Naomi Osaka would take the opening set 6-4.

Despite the set looking like it would head to a tie-breaker, Osaka would take advantage of a lucky break to earn a set point. 

This allowed her to take the first set inside 45 minutes, putting her one set away from a fourth grand slam title.

Osaka and Brady trade holds

Normality resumed after the two breaks, with Osaka and Brady trading service holds.

While Osaka's was conventional, Brady was forced to save a breakpoint opportunity as both players struggled with their ball toss into the wind.

She would eventually hold, backed by a significant improvement in her first serve percentage. 

Osaka would then return the favor, saving a chance to keep the game on serve  5-4 Osaka.

Brady fights back

Jennifer Brady refuses to back down, immediately taking the break back.

Despite Osaka's confidence, Brady took it to the world No. 3, forcing a backhand error to get the game back on serve. 

She would consolidate the break to even the match. 3-3

Osaka draws first blood

Naomi Osaka would take the first break of the set, racing to a 3-1 lead.

Brady's struggles on serve continued, failing to find a first serve when she needed it as she lost all four points. 3*-1 Osaka

Brady recovers from scare

Jennifer Brady showed signs of nerves in her opening service game,

Despite winning the first three points, Brady would struggle to close it out, allowing Osaka to apply pressure and get it to deuce.

Brady would eventually close it out to level the scores, with Osaka following and holding serve  2- 1* Osaka.

Osaka off to perfect start

Naomi Osaka has shown no signs of nerves early on.

Osaka won the coin toss and raced through her first service game, giving Brady little. 1-0 Osaka.

Half-crowd full of noise

Having suffered in lockdown, Melbourne has come out to play for the final, with perfect conditions awaiting the two.

Victoria Government laws dictate that Rod Laver Arena must be half-full for the men's and women's finals after a recent COVID outbreak.

Regardless, the crowd have been full of noise as they were introduced, with Osaka seemingly the slight crowd's favorite.

Nathan Williamson