2019 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka from Japan will take on first time finalist from the US Jennifer Brady in the championship round of the 2021 Australian Open final on Saturday, February 20th. The match is likely to begin at around 7.30 pm local time (08.30 am BST or 03.30 am Eastern Time ). Get the live streaming options of this Naomi Osaka v Jennifer Brady match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
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Naomi Osaka v Jennifer Brady Head to Head
There have been three matches played between these two players before this and Osaka leads 2-1. Their most recent encounter was their 2020 US Open semi-final clash which the Japanese won in a decider.
Also Read:
Osaka Eyes Fourth Major Title
Naomi Osaka has been on an incredible run of form winning 20 straight matches now, with her last loss dating back to the 2020 Australian Open against teenager Coco Gauff of the US. After a challenging quarter-final where she saved match points against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, she was clinical in her 6-2,6-2 win against Su-wei Hsieh of Taipei, someone who has caused her trouble in the past, setting up a blockbuster semi-final against 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.
Although Osaka led that head-to-head coming into the final, the nerves were evident in the beginning as she struggled with her ball toss and serve and was down 0-2 staring at a second break early in the first set. But, she was able to regain her groove soon thereafter and began putting pressure on the Serena Williams serve breaking twice in succession, to go up 4-2. Showing no nerves, the number three seed closed out the set 6-3.
Williams movement and strokeplay level fell under the pressure of the Osaka game and was down a break early in the second staring at a straight sets loss. Although the Osaka serve crumbled again up 4-3 in the second set, she broke right back and served strong to close out the match in straight sets 6-3,6-4 keeping an unbeaten grand slam record once she makes the quarterfinals of a major.
A heart felt goodbye from Serena Williams to the crowd left one wondering whether this is the last time she will step foot on Melbourne Park.
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Brady Looking to Take 2020 US Open Semis One Step Further
World number 24 Jennifer Brady of the US has been on the tour for a few years, but never been past the second round of a major till 2020. The last season began on a good note for her defeating Ash Barty and Maria Sharapova in Brisbane, which set the tone for the rest of the year, with her first ever title in Lexington upon the resumption of the tour, post the pandemic hiatus. The American notched up some big wins at the US Open before losing a hard fought semi-final to the eventual champion Naomi Osaka.
The American did not start the year well with a first round loss at Abu Dhabi and had the setback of a hard quarantine here at the Australian Open too. She has been in good touch since, registering wins against the likes of Donna Vekic to make the final eight against good friend Jessica Pegula and then the semis against Karolina Muchova. Both Pegula and Muchova were coming off wins against the likes of Viktoria Azarenka, Elina Svitolina, Sam Stosur, Ash Barty among others and Brady knew that the ask was going to be tough.
Both matches went three sets and there were times when the American played with her back against the wall, but sheer perseverance, belief and a solid all round game saw her prevail. Against Pegula, it was Brady who started slow but then hung in and got into her groove where as in the semi-finals, she lost concentration after a strong start but recovered well.
In her first major final, it will be a mix of nerves, self-belief, and an opponent like Osaka in red-hot form that she will need to face to get to her first ever Grand Slam title.
Osaka v Brady Prediction and Tip
Although Osaka starts as a strong favorite, given her stature and form, Jennifer Brady has a good all-round game and performed well on the hard courts. As evidenced in the 2020 US Open, she has the skills to push the number three seed as well.
Expect a tight battle with Osaka winning her fourth major in two tight sets.
Tip: Osaka to win in straight sets: 3/5 (bet365)
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The 2021 Australian Open will be played from February 8 to 21. You can watch & bet on the these matches here. Get your latest premium tennis predictions here.
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