Naomi Osaka shines at Australian Open for 4th Grand Slam title

Updated: February 21, 2021 12:22:40 pm

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Osaka's victory over the 22nd-seeded American at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena gave the Japanese third seed her fourth major crown at the age of 23. (Source: AP)

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U.S. Open champion Osaka played some way short of her best tennis and joined Brady in contributing to a dour, error-strewn first set. (Source: AP)

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But she settled to clinch six straight games, roaring to a 4-0 lead in the second before serving out the match to love.A big serve sealed it, causing Brady to fire a forehand return long, and Osaka held her racket over her head and beamed in an understated celebration. (Source: AP)

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Naomi Osaka holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup defeating United States Jennifer Brady in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne (Source: AP)

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Osaka, who won the 2019 tournament, offered Brady warm congratulations and thanked the fans at the trophy ceremony."When we played in the semis of the U.S. Open, a couple of months ago, and I told everyone that 'Listen you're going to be a problem'. And I was right," said Osaka, who will be world number two when the rankings are updated. (Source: AP)

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Although it was a tough first Grand Slam final for Brady, she broke new ground in a remarkable run after being one of the 72 players unable to train during their two-week hard quarantine in the lead-up."First I would like to congratulate Naomi on another Grand Slam title," said the 25-year-old."She's such an inspiration to us all and what she's doing for the game is amazing and getting the sport out there and I hope young girls at home are watching and are inspired by what she's doing." (Soure: AP)

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For Osaka, that is part of a 12-0 record so far in the quarterfinals and beyond at the majors. She is also on a 21-match winning streak that dates to last season. That includes a championship at last year's U.S. Open. She also won the U.S. Open in 2018, and the Australian Open in 2019. (Source: Reuters)

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Only two active women own more Slam titles than Osaka: Serena Williams, with 23, and her sister, Venus, with seven. Next task for Osaka is improving on clay and grass: She's never been past the third round at the French Open or Wimbledon. (Source: Reuters)