Osaka and Kvitova book Australian Open final cracker

US Open champion Naomi Osaka and sentimental favourite Petra Kvitova will joust for the Australian Open crown and the world’s top ranking after setting up a high-stakes final at Melbourne Park.

Osaka continued her quest for back-to-back Grand Slam titles with a fighting 6-2 4-6 6-4 win over Czech Karolina Pliskova after Kvitova ended the daring run of unseeded American Danielle Collins with a 7-6 (2) 6-0 triumph in Thursday’s first semi-final.

While 21-year-old Osaka will be striving to become the first woman to land consecutive majors since the great Serena Williams in 2015, Kvitova is driven by vastly different reasons.

Juchuuuuu I'm in the final of the @AustralianOpen ???? pic.twitter.com/sYpIxipwqJ

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 24, 2019

The 28-year-old Czech is bidding to complete one of sport’s most extraordinary comebacks after advancing to her first major final since being savagely stabbed in a career-threatening home invasion in December 2016.

The two-times Wimbledon champion was told by doctors she’d likely never be able to grip a racquet again, let alone play professional tennis, after having several tendons shredded in her playing hand during the vicious attack.

“It means everything. It’s been five years,” Kvitova said.

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“To be honest, I think not very many people believe that I can do that again, to stand on the court and play tennis and kind of play on this level.

“It was just really few of them, I think. That’s why I worked very hard to be in the finals of the tournament, the final of the major.

“Finally, I could make it deep into a major and I really enjoy a final and, whatever happens, I’m really very, very happy.”

Collins was less happy, though, after being denied in a somewhat controversial semi-final that started in blazing sunshine but finished under a closed roof at Rod Laver Arena after the Open’s heat rule was applied.

Naomi Osaka has to be one of the dark horses for best on-court interviews for this Australian Open.

Certified gold. Every time. ????????

WATCH LIVE: @Channel9
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/d5QpFbIguD #9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/T9MOZT5zwF

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2019

Accustomed to training in steamy Florida, the 25-year-old complained to tournament referee Wayne McEwen – to no avail – after officials ordered the roof closure at 4-4 in the opening set.

But with the temperature in Melbourne soaring to 38 degrees – and much more on court – McEwen had no option but to enforce the safety rules.

Collins won only two more games playing indoors as Kvitova swept past the American underdog in one hour and 34 minutes.

“I think I was happier than the fans that the roof closed,” Kvitova said. “I like to play indoors, so it really helped me a little bit.

“It doesn’t matter. It was kind of warm, but if it is open, I am still going to fight.”

Already Japan’s only Grand Slam singles winner after downing Williams in last year’s explosive final at Flushing Meadows, fourth-seeded Osaka extended her streak at the majors to 13 victories by ending Pliskova’s unbeaten start to 2019.

She prayed for it ????????#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/E7vmbBdnNt

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2019

But the 21-year-old expressed huge relief after Pliskova threatened another fightback win, similar to her escape from two service breaks down against Williams in the semi-finals.

“I’ve played her a couple of times and expected a hard battle,” Osaka said. “I told myself to regroup in the third set and try my best no matter happens – and I managed to win.”

But only after a successful challenge on match point, when replays confirmed Osaka had sealed victory with an ace, despite it being called wide by a linesman.

“I was so scared serving second serves,” Osaka said. “I was like, ‘oh my god, please’, and somehow I made it.”

Naomi Osaka has made it through to the #AusOpen Final, not only does it mark her second consecutive Grand Slam Final; She's the youngest Australian Open finalist since 2008. Incredible stuff! ???????????? #GameSetMatch #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/NiM7iNPQA0

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 24, 2019