Japan’s Naomi Osaka beat Czech Petra Kvitova in a thrilling Australian Open final to win back-to-back Grand Slams and become the new world number one.

The US Open winner, 21, shed tears after missing three championship points in the second set but regrouped to win 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-4.

The fourth seed broke for 2-1 in the decider, then served out the win.

Eighth seed Kvitova, 28, was bidding for her first major title since being stabbed in a knife attack.

• I had to turn off my feelings like a robot – Osaka
• Relive Osaka’s win over Kvitova
• Men’s final preview: Djokovic & Nadal renew ‘biggest rivalry’
• Follow the Australian Open on BBC TV, radio and online

Osaka was all smiles during the trophy presentation in Melbourne – in contrast to her US Open victory – and she continued a tradition of slightly awkward acceptance speeches.

“Erm, hello. Sorry, public speaking isn’t my strong point so I hope I can get through this,” she said.

“I read notes before this but I still forgot what I was meant to say. Thank you everyone, I am really honoured to have played in this final.”

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who said she was fortunate to be alive after the stabbing incident in December 2016, showed resilience to take the match into a third set as momentum swung from side to side.

Victory seemed to be inevitable for Osaka before Kvitova broke back for 5-5 in the second, then going on to win 12 points in a row to lead for the first time since the start of that set.

However, after welling up at the end of the second set while she left the court for a bathroom break, Osaka regained focus to take a decisive advantage in the decider.

She went on to become the first player since American Jennifer Capriati in 2001 to follow her maiden Grand Slam win immediately with another triumph.

She missed a fourth championship point with a long return, but took the fifth when Kvitova hit a forehand wide.

A smiling Osaka dropped to her haunches on the baseline before returning to her chair and covering her face in shock as she savoured the moment.

Osaka, who replaces Simona Halep at the top of the rankings after the Romanian’s 48-week stint, becomes the first Asian player to be world number one.

She is also the youngest to hold top spot since Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, then aged 20, took the ranking in 2010.

A different type of drama to US Open win

Osaka claimed her first Grand Slam by beating 23-time champion Serena Williams in a dramatic final at Flushing Meadows, which is remembered for the American’s row with umpire Carlos Ramos.

That left the Japanese player in tears and hiding behind her visor as she collected the trophy to the sounds of jeers from home fans in New York angry at Ramos, with Williams having to appeal for calm and respect for the new champion.

This time the atmosphere as she collected the trophy could not have been more different.

The Rod Laver Arena, which sounded evenly split in terms of support during the match, erupted when she finally sealed victory after two hours and 27 minutes.

More followed as she lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup before the 15,000-capacity stadium fell silent as Osaka started her victory speech by praising Kvitova’s career comeback.

“I wouldn’t have wanted this to be our first match, but huge congratulations to you and your team,” she told the Czech.

“You are amazing and I am honoured to have played you in a Grand Slam final.”

What was similar to Osaka’s US Open victory, however, was a match also filled with intense drama.

Serve ruled in a tight first set before Osaka dominated the tie-break to edge ahead, boosted by the knowledge she had won her previous 59 matches after winning the opener.

That extraordinary record, which stretches back to 2016, meant Kvitova knew the importance of making a fast start to the second set – and she did that by breaking for a 2-0 lead.

Osaka immediately broke back, though, going on to move within touching distance of the match before another dramatic twist.

I can’t believe I played in Grand Slam final again – tearful Kvitova

Kvitova was contesting her first Grand Slam final since her second Wimbledon win in 2014, with many fans hoping she could cap one of the sport’s most inspirational stories with a fairytale finish.

Moments after Osaka sealed victory, an emotional Kvitova sat with her head in her hands as she seemed to be processing how far she has come over the past two years.

The left-hander needed surgery on her playing hand after the attack in a robbery at her home in the Czech Republic.

She sustained damage to ligaments and tendons when fighting off an intruder, but returned to the sport five months later.

“It is crazy. I cannot believe I played in the final of a Grand Slam again,” said Kvitova, whose voice was breaking as she fought back tears.

“It was a great final – well done, Naomi.

“Thank you to my team for sticking with me, especially because we didn’t even know if I could hold a racquet again. It wasn’t that easy.”

Kvitova wiped away tears as the Laver crowd burst into supportive cheers and applause.

After showing extraordinary determination to return to the sport, Kvitova also demonstrated her fight on the court to take her first Australian Open final into a decider.

Trailing 5-3 in the second set, she survived three championship points by landing five successive first serves and then broke to level at 5-5.

That put Kvitova in the ascendancy as Osaka grew nervous and frustrated, the Czech winning 18 of the final 22 points to surprise most watching by giving them a third set.

An easy hold at the start of the decider put her ahead before the Japanese regained composure, Kvitova double-faulting to hand over the key break point, which Osaka punished with a backhand.

Defeat means Kvitova also missed out on becoming the world number one for the first time, although she will rise to second when the rankings are released on Monday.

What the tennis world said on social media

Former world number one Martina Navratilova: “Well, after winning the US Open Naomi Osaka became a star. And now, after winning the Australian Open and becoming world number one, she is a superstar! Congratulations Champ. And Petra Kvitova – you are the champion of life!!!”

Former world number one Billie Jean King: “Congratulations to the two-time Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka! Your future is so bright, and your talent, drive, and determination will take you far.”

French player Alize Cornet: “What a final! Thank you ladies for showing such strength, determination, courage and resilience! You are both great inspiration to all of us.”

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Osaka has come an enormously long way in a very, very short time. At the age of 21, she has won back-to-back Grand Slams and this time she can rejoice in the moment. This is her moment. She has won it in dramatic style after a fabulous comeback from Kvitova.

She is the first player in 18 years to win a first Grand Slam title and then follow it up by winning her second. What an extraordinarily resilient woman, what an extraordinary player.

• Live scores, schedule and results
• Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will renew their long-standing rivalry in an Australian Open final where both can create new records.

Djokovic is aiming for a record seventh men’s Melbourne title, while Nadal can become the first man in the Open era to win all the Grand Slams at least twice.

Sunday’s match will be an ATP record-extending 53rd meeting between them.

“It is the biggest rivalry we’ve seen in tennis history,” Australian former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said.

The top two seeds meet at Melbourne Park for the first time since their epic five-set final in 2012, which Djokovic won with almost six hours on the clock.

The pair have produced some of the greatest matches, meeting in:

• Seven Grand Slam finals
• Five Grand Slam semi-finals
• 17 other Tour-level finals
• 13 other Tour-level semi-finals
• One Olympic semi-final

Djokovic, 31, leads their head-to-head 27-25, with eight victories in their past 10 matches – including their memorable 2018 Wimbledon semi-final five-setter which stretched over two days.

“I’ve played so many matches against him, epic matches on this court,” said the Serb.

“I’m sure we’re going to have a good final.”

Spaniard Nadal, 32, said he was happy to have shared “very special moments” on court with Djokovic.

“We push each other to the limit of our tennis level,” he added. “Sunday is going to be another episode.”

• Live scores, schedule and results
• Follow the Australian Open on BBC TV, radio and online
• Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone

Djokovic has best chance of eclipsing Federer – Laver

Djokovic set up the tantalising final with a comprehensive semi-final win over French 28th seed Lucas Pouille, which he described as one of his best performances in Melbourne.

Spain’s Nadal, meanwhile, has not dropped a set in his six matches here.

Whoever wins will move closer to Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam victories, although Australian great Rod Laver believes Djokovic is best placed to overhaul the Swiss.

Djokovic has won 14 majors after his Wimbledon and US Open victories last year, while Nadal has 17 after claiming the 2018 French Open.

“When you look at his age and form in winning the last two, I’d say Djokovic has the best chance of eclipsing Federer,” said 11-time Grand Slam singles champion Laver, 80.

Djokovic ‘more confident’ after beating Nadal at Wimbledon

Djokovic says beating Nadal at Wimbledon last year “mentally turned things around the most” for him.

Ranked outside the world’s top 20 earlier that year after elbow surgery, Djokovic beat Kevin Anderson in the final for his first Grand Slam title since the 2016 French Open.

He followed that by winning the US Open in September and reclaiming the world number one spot in November.

“Winning against Nadal 10-8 in the fifth set, that has catapulted me mentally to a different, more confident self,” Djokovic said.

“It has allowed me to then excel in the months to come after that.”

Nadal ‘surprised’ by form

Nadal is playing in his first tournament since the US Open after injury problems and has been surprised by his level of performance in Melbourne.

“I am happy that I am competing that well that early. That’s the most important thing,” he said.

“I felt myself playing well in practice before the tournament. Then you have to compete, see if you can make that happen in the competition.

“I am very happy to have that feeling again. Of course, it is a little bit surprising that it happens that early.”

‘I don’t want Djokovic to beat my record’

Six-time champion Djokovic is tied with Australian great Roy Emerson and Federer in terms of all-time victories in Melbourne.

Emerson, 82, said he is backing Nadal for victory because he does not want to see his record, set in 1967 and matched by Federer in 2018, beaten.

“Well, I don’t want Djokovic to do it,” he joked. “I don’t have that many records to brag about.

“But my six doesn’t look too good.

“Djokovic is still young and can still make all sorts of records.

“If he keeps himself in shape, like Federer, he’s got another two or three years where he’ll be winning majors.”

Analysis

Lindsay Davenport, three-time Grand Slam singles champion

Nadal’s big push in the off-season has been his serve, trying to get it on to the opponent much faster than he had been.

That allows him to play offensive in the second or third shot in the rally.

The toughest person to do that against is Djokovic, the best returner, and it will be interesting to see if Rafa tries to do anything differently – tries to put more miles per hour on his serve than their last meeting or if he tries to take the next ball earlier.

The way Rafa has played this tournament has been exceptional – but that’s not easy to do against Novak.

How they compare

Just how unpredictable is women’s tennis?

Before Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova face each other in Saturday’s Australian Open final, we’re asking you how many of the 18 women’s Grand Slam singles champions of the past decade you can name.

It would not take you long to do the same for the men’s game – over the same period there have been just seven different names on the 40 trophies.

You’ve got five minutes to name every woman to have won a major since 2009.

• Live scores, schedule and results
• Follow the Australian Open on BBC TV, radio and online
• Alerts: Get tennis news sent to your phone