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 08:41 · Kieran Jackson]

Both players are now out on court, and we are five minutes away from the start of the Women's Final as the players undergo their usual pre-match warm-up.

[26 January 2019 08:44 · Kieran Jackson]

[26 January 2019 08:45 · Kieran Jackson]

We're all ready to go here in Melbourne! Naomi Osaka will start proceedings on serve...

[26 January 2019 08:48 · Kieran Jackson]

Osaka 1-0 Kvitova*

Osaka shows some nerves as she starts with a double-fault, but backs it up with two first-serve's Kvitova is unable to return.

The Japanese goes wide with a backhand, but goes 40-30 up with a forehand winner down the line. The Czech goes long with a backhand, and Osaka wins the first game of the contest. 

[26 January 2019 08:51 · Kieran Jackson]

*Osaka 1-1 Kvitova

Kvitova strolls through her opening service game, pummelling her shots from the back of the court. The Czech's swinging lefty serve will be a running theme throughout and won her two free points in that game - she holds to love. 

[26 January 2019 08:53 · Kieran Jackson]

Osaka 2-1 Kvitova*

Osaka responds in devastating fashion, holding to love and finding her range on serve from the off, as Kvitova fails to make any inroads there. 

Both players love to play aggressive tennis - any breaks of serve you feel will be of major significance tonight. 

[26 January 2019 08:56 · Kieran Jackson]

*Osaka 2-2 Kvitova

The first long rally of the final opens up Kvitova's service game, with Osaka sealing it via a backhand winner down the line. 

Kvitova recovers with four pounding serves, and we're all-square again. 

[26 January 2019 08:59 · Kieran Jackson]

*Osaka 2-2 Kvitova (40-40)

First opportunity for Kvitova on her opponent's serve, as two big returns force 0-30.

Osaka's responds emphatically with two big serves of her own, before a brilliant backhand return cross-court from the Czech sets up the first break point of the match, but she goes long on her backhand. 

Deuce. 

[26 January 2019 09:02 · Kieran Jackson]

Osaka 3-2 Kvitova*

Osaka holds, saving two break points in the process. 

Another sweetly struck Kvitova return off the backhand sets up break point number two, but Osaka soaks it up and Kvitova nets.

After Osaka sets up game point, Kvitova wins the point with a forehand passing shot, but Osaka makes it works second time round, as Kvitova goes long from the back of the court twice. 

Big hold for the 21-year-old. 

[26 January 2019 09:07 · Kieran Jackson]

*Osaka 3-3 Kvitova

Osaka has her first break point opportunity of the match, but a big serve and forehand saves it for the Czech.

Kvitova's swinging lefty serve on the ad-side of the court is getting her out of trouble at the moment, and she holds to level things up.