2019 Australian Open, Day 13: Order of Play & Schedule PDF Download
After 12 days of sizzling action, we have arrived at the first of the two big singles finals at the 2019 Australian Open. Day 13 of the year's first Major is all about the ladies singles final. All tennis aficionados will be waiting with bated breath to see who between the eighth-seeded Petra Kvitova and the fourth-seeded Naomi Osaka gets to taste Australian Open glory for the very first time.
The winner will also climb to the top of the rankings. So there is a double reward for whoever wins this match, which is expected to be nothing short of a blockbuster. For the two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, this is a second chance at getting the numero uno spot. Seven years ago, she was on the verge of becoming the new No. 1 and was one set away from it. But she went down in three sets in the semi-finals to eventual runner-up Maria Sharapova. This time she might be doubly motivated to get it for the first time.
While Kvitova has returned from a devastating knife attack as a far more consistent and mentally stronger player, there is no doubt that Osaka is the current best of the young guns. If not tomorrow, she is sure to get the No. 1 ranking sometime in the near future. By backing up her US Open title victory with at least a final at the very next Major, she has proved that she indeed has a bright future and a lot of success is waiting for her.
Under pressure, the 21-year-old has refused to crumble and has brought out her fiery weaponry to get a win in as many as three three-setters out of the six matches she has played at the Australian Open.
While the ladies singles final will be the cynosure of all eyes, there is local interest in the mixed doubles final. Australia's wildcard pair of Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith will be taking on the third seeds Rajeev Ram and Barbora Krejcikova.
The ladies singles final will begin not before 7:30 pm AEDT or 2 pm IST on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday and will be followed by the mixed doubles final.
You can find the full schedule of Day 13 of 2019 Australian Open here.