Australian Open 2019 women’s final LIVE: Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova in thrilling three-set epic

Re-live all the action as it unfolds from the Rod Laver Arena

Who has the most grand slams wins in tennis?

Re-live the action from the Australian Open women’s singles final on Saturday morning as Naomi Osaka beat two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in an epic back-and-forth encounter.

Osaka clinched her second Grand Slam in a row after winning the US Open last year, but she was made to fight for it after Kvitova responded to losing the first set to take the second.​ Kvitova, despite being in scintillating form having not lost a set all tournament, was appearing in her first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon 2014, with the 28-year-old Czech suffering a six-month lay-off in 2017 after she was injured in a knife attack in Prague.

Osaka clinched the first meeting between the two players, and by emerging victorious Osaka will replace Simona Halep as world No 1 in Monday's updated rankings. Follow the live action below.

What time does it start?

The Australian Open Women’s Singles final is due to start at 8:30am (GMT) on Saturday 26 January.

Where can I watch it?

Coverage of the match will be on Eurosport 1 from 8:00am (GMT).

Highlights will be shown at 1:15pm on BBC One.

Run to the final…

Naomi Osaka (4):

R1: bt Magda Linette 6-4 6-2

R2: bt Tamara Zidansek 6-2 6-4

R3: bt Su-Wei Hsieh (28) 5-7 6-4 6-1

R4: bt Anastasija Sevastova (13) 4-6 6-3 6-4

QF: bt Elina Svitolina (6) 6-4 6-1

SF: bt Karolina Pliskova (7) 6-2 4-6 6-4

Naomi Osaka is into her second successive Grand Slam final (EPA)

Petra Kvitova (6):

R1: bt Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 6-2

R2: bt Irina-Camelia Begu 6-1 6-3

R3: bt Belinda Bencic 6-1 6-4

R4: bt Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-1

QF: bt Ashleigh Barty (15) 6-1 6-4

SF: bt Danielle Collins 7-6(2) 6-0

Odds…

Osaka to win: 27/25

Kvitova to win: 10/13

Key Points

• Naomi Osaka beats Petra Kvitova in the Australian Open women's final
• Osaka takes the first set 7-6 (7-2), Kvitova levels by winning the second 7-5
• Japanese youngster bounces back to win the third set 6-3 and become the new world No 1 in the process

[26 January 2019 07:47 · Jack de Menezes]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Australian Open women's final between Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova, brought to you from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

The final is due to start at around 8:30am GMT, so stick with us for all the pre-match build-up and latest news as we tick down the minutes until we get underway.

[26 January 2019 08:03 · Kieran Jackson]

This has the makings of a brilliant final between two players at the top of their game. Osaka, 21, is playing in her second consecutive Grand Slam final after winning last year's US Open while Kvitova, seven years her senior, is playing in her third Grand Slam final, having won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014.

Paul Newman is our man in Melbourne - here's his preview of today's final.

[26 January 2019 08:14 · Kieran Jackson]

Naomi Osaka's run to this morning's final has been much trickier then her opponent's, and the Japanese star has done well to overcome four seeded players - two from a set down. 

R1: bt Magda Linette 6-4 6-2

R2: bt Tamara Zidansek 6-2 6-4

R3: bt Su-Wei Hsieh (28) 5-7 6-4 6-1

R4: bt Anastasija Sevastova (13) 4-6 6-3 6-4

QF: bt Elina Svitolina (6) 6-4 6-1

SF: bt Karolina Pliskova (7) 6-2 4-6 6-4

[26 January 2019 08:19 · Kieran Jackson]

Petra Kvitova has taken full advantage of a kind draw, with players such as 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, last year's winner Caroline Wozniacki and second seed Angelique Kerber all knocked out early in her section. 

R1: bt Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 6-2

R2: bt Irina-Camelia Begu 6-1 6-3

R3: bt Belinda Bencic 6-1 6-4

R4: bt Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-1

QF: bt Ashleigh Barty (15) 6-1 6-4

SF: bt Danielle Collins 7-6(2) 6-0

[26 January 2019 08:22 · Kieran Jackson]

Furthermore, Kvitova has a habit of clinching events once in the latter stages - the Czech has won her last eight finals! 

She also won the pre-tournament warm-up event in Sydney, and is on an 11-match win streak. 

[26 January 2019 08:24 · Kieran Jackson]

Another (big) sub-plot to today's match is the winner will become world number one. A lot at stake for both players, in what is their first ever meeting would you believe.

[26 January 2019 08:33 · Kieran Jackson]

As is tradition, today's women's final takes place on Australia Day, so it's set to be a rapturous atmosphere in Melbourne. 

It's a calm evening, so we're hearing the roof will be open.

[26 January 2019 08:35 · Kieran Jackson]

The players are going through their final preparations backstage, as lucky ticket holders make their way into the Rod Laver Arena.

[26 January 2019 08:37 · Kieran Jackson]

[26 January 2019 08:38 · Kieran Jackson]