Aryna Sabalenka will look to clinch her third straight Australian Open title when the Belarusian takes on USA’s Madison Keys in Saturday’s final in Melbourne.
Over the years, there have been some very exciting women’s singles final in Melbourne.
Sportstar takes a look at top five summit clashes:
Serena Williams vs Venus Williams, 2003: 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4
Coming into the 2003 Australian Open final, the pressure was on Serena Williams as she had the opportunity to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time. In 2002, she had won the US Open, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros. Just like the previous three summit clashes, her opponent in the final in Melbourne was a familiar face; her elder sister Venus. Serena took the first set after a tense tiebreak, but Venus hit back to take the second. However, Serena kept her composure to win the first of her seven Australian Open titles and complete what is now referred to as the “Serena Slam”.
Monica Seles vs Steffi Graf, 1993: 4–6, 6–3, 6–2
The women’s section of the Australian Open in the late 1980s and early 1990s was dominated by Monica Seles and Steffi Graf. The two won every singles title between 1988 and 1994 and the rivalry reached its peak when they met in the 1993 final. Seles was world number one, and Graff world number two, and the two produced a match worthy of their rankings. Graf took the opening set, but Seles fought back to take the next two sets and win her third consecutive Australian Open title. Graf would win the title back the following year.
Martina Navratilova vs Chris Evert, 1981: 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5
Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert had a period of domination at the Australian Open, alternating titles between 1981 and 1985. They met in the final thrice in this period. The closest of these contests came in their first meeting in 1981. Evert won the opening set after a close tiebreak, before Navratilova struck back to take the second. The final set would be tight as well, but Navratilova just prevailed to win her first Australian Open title. The two would meet again the following year, with Evert taking revenge for her defeat in 1981.
Naomi Osaka vs Petra Kvitova, 201: 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4
Japan’s Naomi Osaka (left) beats Czechia’s Petra Kvitova (right) in the Australian Open final at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019.
| Photo Credit:
GETTY IMAGES
Japan’s Naomi Osaka (left) beats Czechia’s Petra Kvitova (right) in the Australian Open final at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019.
| Photo Credit:
GETTY IMAGES
The 2019 Australian Open was incredibly significant for both Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova. For Kvitova, it was her first Grand Slam final after suffering a knife attack, while for Osaka, it was her second Grand Slam final on the trot. On what would proved to be an emotional night, Osaka won the first set in a tiebreak before Kvitova took second (rescuing three championship points in the process). However, Osaka would eventually emerge victorious on the night, taking the third set to seal her second Grand Slam title.
Jennifer Capriati vs Martina Hingis, 2002: 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-2
Jennifer Capriati and Martina Hingis’ meeting in the 2002 Australian Open final was the second time the two had met in a final, and it proved to be one of the most intense finals that has been played till date. Playing in sweltering heat, Hingis was in the driving seat for most of the initial stages, storming through the first set and reaching championship point thrice in the second set. However, Capriati held on to win back the second set, and then produced an astonishingly dominant performance in the third set to win her second Australian Open title.
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