- Moderator
- #1
7:30 PM
Rod Laver Arena
Naomi Osaka (3) (JPN)
v
Jennifer Brady (22) (USA)
Head 2 Head
Osaka 2-1
Last Played
US Open Semi-Final 2020
7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3 Osaka
That last match was epic. Brady really took it up to Osaka and was one of the matches of the tournament. Brady is a great story. She decided to switch things up and train in Germany, not content with her 50-80 ranking. That hard work has paid off in the last 2 years and she is a quality player. The thing is, I can't see her beating Osaka. In the US, Brady played the best game of her career, and it was still not good enough. She is not at that level here than at the US Open, with the faster courts not allowing her to hit the forehand at full power, and perhaps the HQ she did has not helped. Her run to the final was also easier compared to Osaka but more taxing in the last 2 matches, especially v Muchova.
Where Brady is below her US level, Osaka has moved up another level. She did nearly lose to Mugurza, saving 2 match points, but her comeback.. well she is playing like Serena was in her prime. Just a level above all opponents and rarely troubled, and if she is, she turns on the afterburners. After going Matchpoints down v Mugurza, she didn't hit another UE for the entire match. She held her nerve v Serena. Osaka isn't just the actual number 1 player in the world(sorry Barty), she is playing like the player of this generation. Ohh, and she hasn't lost for nearly 12 months.. For me, Osaka in 2 sets. 6-4, 6,2.
We also have the Mixed Doubles Final after.
Stosur/Ebden v Krejcikova/Ram
Rod Laver Arena
Naomi Osaka (3) (JPN)
v
Jennifer Brady (22) (USA)
Head 2 Head
Osaka 2-1
Last Played
US Open Semi-Final 2020
7-6(1), 3-6, 6-3 Osaka
That last match was epic. Brady really took it up to Osaka and was one of the matches of the tournament. Brady is a great story. She decided to switch things up and train in Germany, not content with her 50-80 ranking. That hard work has paid off in the last 2 years and she is a quality player. The thing is, I can't see her beating Osaka. In the US, Brady played the best game of her career, and it was still not good enough. She is not at that level here than at the US Open, with the faster courts not allowing her to hit the forehand at full power, and perhaps the HQ she did has not helped. Her run to the final was also easier compared to Osaka but more taxing in the last 2 matches, especially v Muchova.
Where Brady is below her US level, Osaka has moved up another level. She did nearly lose to Mugurza, saving 2 match points, but her comeback.. well she is playing like Serena was in her prime. Just a level above all opponents and rarely troubled, and if she is, she turns on the afterburners. After going Matchpoints down v Mugurza, she didn't hit another UE for the entire match. She held her nerve v Serena. Osaka isn't just the actual number 1 player in the world(sorry Barty), she is playing like the player of this generation. Ohh, and she hasn't lost for nearly 12 months.. For me, Osaka in 2 sets. 6-4, 6,2.
We also have the Mixed Doubles Final after.
Stosur/Ebden v Krejcikova/Ram