Naomi Osaka won the 2021 Australian Open, becoming the third player in the Open Era to win each of their first four major finals, joining Monica Seles and Roger Federer.
Osaka, who swept American Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the final in Melbourne, has now captured two Australian Opens and two U.S. Opens. Only Serena Williams and Venus Williams own more Grand Slam singles titles among active women.
Osaka’s most memorable match of the tournament was her semifinal — a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Serena Williams, denying Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th major title. Osaka also saved two match points against Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round.
Top-ranked Ash Barty of Australia was stunned in the quarterfinals by Czech Karolina Muchova.
American Sofia Kenin, the defending champion and fourth seed, was upset in the second round.
Coco Gauff, the 16-year-old American who beat Osaka in the 2020 Australian Open, was unseeded and fell to No. 5 Elina Svitolina in the second round.
The next major is the French Open starting in late May, after which the Tokyo Olympic fields will be determined.
MORE: Australian Open Men’s Draw
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