By Lance Jenkinson
There will be a little bit extra on the line when Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova and Japan’s Naomi Osaka meet in the 2019 Australian Open women’s singles final.
The small matter of which player takes up the No. 1 ranking in the world will be decided on the result of the match.
Kvitova, the eighth seed, featuring in her first grand slam final since she won Wimbledon in 2014, played it down, saying she is motivated only by adding a third grand slam title to her resume.
“Well, from my side, doesn’t really affect me at all,” Kvitova said of potentially being the world’s No. 1 player. “I’m here to play in the final of the major and that’s how I do have my mindset.
“If that happen, it happen. It will just be very nice bonus of it, but I’m really thinking about the title only.”
Kvitova is yet to drop a set in this year’s Australian Open.
She continued her strong form with a straight sets win over American Danielle Collins in the semi final.
Kvitova is wary of Osaka, who is the fourth seed and reigning US Open champion.
Kvitova expects a much tougher encounter than what she has faced so far in the tournament.
“Definitely I need to play my best tennis,” Kvitova said. “I think Naomi is on fire. She’s in very good form.
“She’s an aggressive player, which I am, as well. So I think it will be about who gonna take the first point and push the other a little bit.”
The highly anticipated clash will be at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night from 7.30pm.
