Australian Open: Kvitova rues missed chances

Petra Kvitova has described her loss to Naomi Osaka in Open final thriller final as painful, regretting chances that went begging.

An emotional Petra Kvitova wipes away tears following her loss to Naomi Osaka.

Petra Kvitova has described her loss to Japanese star Naomi Osaka in a thrilling Australian Open final as painful, regretting the opportunities that went begging early in the match.

The Czech left-hander, who would have become the oldest first-time No 1 if successful, held break point opportunities midway through the first set in her 7-6 (2) 5-7 6-4 loss but was either denied by Osaka’s brilliance or over-hit shots in a bid to claim an advantage.

The 28-year-old showed tremendous resilience to save three match points in the second set when trailing 3-5 to force a decider.

But ultimately she proved unable to maintain the level of dominance she had held on her serve through an 11-match winning streak that included a victory in the Sydney International leading into the Australian Open. She attributed this, in part, to the smart position Osaka adopted when returning.

“It’s painful, for sure. I don’t know how long it will take me to get over it,” she said.

“When I look back, I did have my chances in the first when I had 0-40 on her serve, (so) I did have a few break points.

Petra Kvitova attends a press conference after the final.

“I don’t think I played … badly, but I think I should maybe (have been) a little more aggressive in one or two rallies. I really fought back in the second set. I’m proud of myself in that case. And the third set was just one break. That’s how tennis is. It’s the final.”

But the new world No 2 was able to place the loss into perspective when reflecting on her recovery from career-threatening injuries sustained in a horrifying home invasion just prior to Christmas two years ago.

There were significant fears as to whether she would be able to play again given the extent of the injuries to her playing hand, with included nerve and soft-tissue damage.

“Definitely I am proud, for sure. It would be very bad if I am not,” she said.

Osaka and Kvitovaembrace at the net after the match.

“It’s hurting a lot today. I wanted to win and have the trophy. But I think I already won two years ago. So, for me, it’s amazing. I think I still don’t really realize that I played in the final.

“I mean, I’ve been through many, many things, not really great ones. As I said on the court, I didn’t know if I (was) going to hold the racquet again. I’m holding it, so that is good. (There are) still a few things which I can improve, and we’ll do it. So it’s not the end. I (will) be back, for sure.”