Australian Open women’s singles final – Naomi Osaka WINS title in straight sets against American Jennifer Brady

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Is she looking for a spot for her name to be engraved in a couple of hours time 👀

OSAKA WINS THE COIN TOSS

She will serve first

HERE THEY COME!

Jennifer Brady is first out on court to a rousing reception.

Followed by her opponent, Naomi Osaka who is equally welcomes to the Rod Laver Arena.

An expectant crowd rises to their feet.

THE PLAYERS ARE IN THE TUNNEL!

Looking for a repeat of their US Open semi!

BRADY'S THOUGHTS

Jennifer Brady says she has combined her temper as a youth with her ability to stay mentally tough in difficult moments - and now she's bearing fruit.

Throughout my junior career, all the coaches that I had were always telling me I had potential to be a great tennis player.
But I had a bit of a temper as a kid. Wasn't really mentally the toughest.
So I think that has kind of just shifted my whole career, just being able to stay in tough moments, close out tough matches, just fight my way back regardless of the score.
I just needed to put the two things together and now I have.

Jennifer Brady

THE LOCKER ROOM

While Naomi Osaka goes through a warm-up with resistance bands, Jennifer Brady is having a kick about with her coaches with a tennis ball.

A sign that there is no nerves at all from the 25-year-old American.

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on display ahead of the imminent arrival of our finalists.

This is what they are about to play for.

The fame, ranking points and money are also not bad to get....

COUNTDOWN IS ON

Not long until the players take to the court.

A look at the numbers behind Osaka and Brady.

STATS THIS YEAR

Form can quite often go out the window in a final and it be about who can hold their nerve better than the other.

But this is how both players have looked so far this year.

A noticeable difference in break points converted which could come into play.

OSAKA

BRADY

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Naomi Osaka's scare came in round four against 14th seed Garbine Muguruza.

Losing the first set, the third went the distance as she nicked it 7-5.

Round 1: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-1 6-2

Round 2: Caroline Garcia, 6-2 6-3

Round 3: Ons Jabeur (27), 6-3 6-2

Round 4: Garbine Muguruza (14), 4-6 6-4 7-5

QF: Hsieh Su-Wei, 6-2 6-2

SF: Serena Williams (10), 6-3 6-4

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Round 1: Aliona Bolsova 6-1 6-3

Round 2: Madison Brengle 6-1 6-2

Round 3: Kaja Juvan 6-1 6-3

Round 4: Donna Vekic 6-1 7-5

QF: Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-2 6-1

SF: Karolina Muchov, 6-4 3-6 6-4

SECOND IS NO OPTION

Naomi Osaka said 'nobody remembers the runner-up' as she bids for another Grand Slam.

The Japanese star said this type of game is where she fights her hardest.

I have this mentality that people don't remember the runner-up. You might, but the winner's name is the one that's engraved. I think I fight the hardest in the finals. I think that's where you set yourself apart.

Naomi Osaka

PLAYER PROFILE

Jennifer Brady is a couple years older than Naomi Osaka.

She'll be hoping to double her career titles win with the biggest of the lot!

PLAYER PROFILE

Starting with this morning's favourite, let's have a look at Naomi Osaka's profile.

Six career titles by the age of 23 including one this year, she'll be looking to push back to the No.1 in the world spot soon.

BRADY PREP

Jennifer Brady also looks unfazed as her warm-up is well under way.

Is the pressure off her slightly, given she is an outsider? Or is there more, knowing this is her first big final?

OSAKA EXPECTS

Naomi Osaka expects another tough match from Jennifer Brady after the pair squared off in a memorable US Open semi-final in 2020.

Osaka would take the match in three sets and she says it remains one of her most memorable encounters.

It's easily one of my most memorable matches. I think it was just super high quality throughout. For me, it's not really surprising at all to see her in another semi or another final. It's definitely going to be really tough if I do play her.

Naomi Osaka

SPECTATORS

There was a worry a week or so ago that we may not get spectators in for both finals this weekend.

A local 5-day lockdown was announced after a mini outbreak of Covid-19.

Thankfully, we've had them back for the last couple days and even though we aren't nearly at capacity, what a difference it makes having them here!

GETTING WARM

As we approach late afternoon in Melbourne, Naomi Osaka is going through her warm-up routine.

She looks cool and calm at the minute - oozing confidence.

MATCH ODDS

As mentioned earlier, Noami Osaka comes into this as a very warm favourite.

Her Head-2-Head with Jennifer Brady, the fact she's won it before and her tennis so far this tournament all contribute to her short odds.

Naomi Osaka - 1/5

Jennifer Brady - 7/2

NAOMI OSAKA vs JENNIFER BRADY

With just over an hour until both women take to the court, we'll take a look at their routes to the final, predictions and player profiles.

It promises to be an exciting match-up in this year's first Slam final.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN – WOMEN’S FINAL: Naomi Osaka v Jennifer Brady

Good morning! Thank you for joining our live coverage of this morning’s women’s Australian Open final between Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Brady.

Osaka comes in to this final as a very warm favourite and it is not difficult to see why.

The current US Open champion has won this event before in 2019 and is currently a perfect 3-0 in Grand Slam finals.

Her win against Serena Williams in the semi came in straight sets, where she said: “Just to be on the court playing against her for me is a dream.”

The World No.3 could make this a tournament to remember if she goes on to lift the trophy in just a few hours time.

The 22^nd seed, Brady is in her first Grand Slam final and comes in with the underdog tag.

The 25-year-old has reached the final having not played an opponent ranked higher than she is.

She claimed victory in the semi-final over Karolina Muchova on her fifth match point, showing good nerve to make it through.

These two have played each other twice on tour so far – Osaka winning both matches.

The last was in the semi-final of last year’s US Open in a match that remarkably only had two breaks of serve.

Osaka took that one 7-6 3-6 6-3 and if we get a repeat of that today we are in for a real treat!

We get going in an hour or so, stick with us as we bring all the build-up before live updates!