Naomi Osaka Wins Australian Open for 2nd Major, Top Ranking

Japan's Naomi Osaka holds her trophy after defeating Petra Kvitova, left, of the Czech Republic during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 26, 2019. Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo

MELBOURNE, Australia—So close to victory, Naomi Osaka suddenly was letting the Australian Open final slip away. Three championship points? Gone. A sizable lead? Soon all gone, too.

She was playing poorly. She yelled at herself. Slammed a ball. Tugged at her visor’s pink brim. Trudged to the locker room between sets with a towel draped over her head.