ITF

36 ITFWorld // SPRING 2019 This was her first appearance in a Grand Slam finale since her second Wimbledon title in 2014, with the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows in 2017 being her most productive major in the intervening period. A couple of underwhelming third-round exits were the best she could muster at Grand Slams in 2018, while 12 months ago she bowed out in the first round in Melbourne following defeat to Germany's Andrea Petkovic. But this year's Australian Open provided a different narrative for the then 28-year-old, who, as the eighth seed, barged her way to the final without conceding a set and losing only 28 games. Unseeded quartet Magdalena Rybarikova, Irina-Camelia Begu, Belinda Bencic and Amanda Anisimova were all left trailing in her wake, before she dispatched Ashleigh Barty of Australia in the quarterfinals and feisty American Danielle Collins in the last four. "I wanted to win and have the trophy – but I think I already won two years ago. So, for me, it's amazing," said Kvitova. "I don't think that I could really imagine being this kind of player again." Osaka's route to the final proved slightly trickier, with her being forced to recover from a set down against Hsieh Su-Wei and Anastasija Sevastova in the 3rd and 4th rounds respectively. She also needed three sets to overcome No. 7 seed Karolina Pliskova, who had conquered Serena Williams in the last eight, in the semifinals although she did hit 15 aces and 56 winners. " I am aware that making history in the sport that I truly love is something special." N O V A K D J O K O V I C A U S T R A L I A N O P E N Mahut and Herbert claimed a career Grand Slam of doubles titles

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