Tennis I'm honoured to have played you - Champion Osaka hails Kvitova After edging out Petra Kvitova in a stunning Australian Open final, Naomi Osaka said she was "honoured" to have played against the Czech. AFP 26 January, 2019 19:10 IST I'm honoured to have played you - Champion Osaka hails Kvitova AFP 26 January, 2019 19:10 IST Japan’s Naomi Osaka said she was “in a state of shock” Saturday after holding her nerve to battle past Petra Kvitova to win the Australian Open in a three-set thriller that also delivered her the world number one ranking.The fourth seed and US Open champion triumphed 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-4 in a 2hr 27min epic over the Czech eighth seed to claim back-to-back Grand Slams and become the first Asian, male or female, to hold the top spot.The Japanese youngster fell to one knee in celebration, head bowed, as Melbourne Park erupted in thunderous cheers.“I felt like I was in a state of shock through the entire trophy presentation,” the 21-year-old said.A rattled Osaka almost blew her title hopes with one hand on the trophy when she failed to convert three championship points leading 5-3 in the second set.The never-say-die Kvitova forced a deciding set before Osaka finally edged ahead with a decisive break early in the third. Naomi Osaka and Petra Kvitova embrace following the Australian Open final. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES - Getty Images “Of course I felt very disappointed and sad when I had three match points,” she said.“I tried to tell myself there’s nothing I can do about it. Told myself I’m playing a final and need to keep fighting and couldn’t act immature and needed to keep fighting.” Her jubilation was a marked contrast to Osaka’s maiden Slam win last year, when she tearfully hid her face as boos rang around Flushing Meadows in the wake of losing finalist Serena Williams’ tirade at the umpire.This time, Osaka cried with joy and smiled as she became the youngest woman to win back-to-back majors since Martina Hingis in 1998 and the youngest number one since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.Her gutsy performance confirms her status as the leading light of tennis’ new generation.Osaka also paid a gracious tribute to her beaten opponent."Huge congrats to you, Petra. I've always wanted to play you. You've been through so much and honestly I wouldn't have wanted this to be our first match, but huge congrats to you and your team. Naomi Osaka. 2018 Indian Wells Champion2018 US Open Champion2019 Australian Open Champion@WTA World No.1.Wow.— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 26, 2019 "You're really amazing and I'm really honoured to have played you in the final of a grand slam."Kvitova can console herself with a career-best performance at Melbourne Park, where she did not drop a set on her way to the final.It was her first Grand Slam decider since a burglar slashed her racquet hand in a 2016 knife attack and the Czech has shown she is again a contender at the majors.“Thank you for sticking with me even when we didn’t know if I would able to hold a racquet again,” Kvitova told her team, with her voice cracking.“It’s crazy. I can hardly believe that I just played in a Grand Slam final again.” Rafa Nadal at school graduation speech: Failure is only bad if you don't know how to get up and fight again Watch: Injured Alexander Zverev, on crutches, concedes French Open semifinal to Rafael Nadal Getting to know Carlos Alcaraz - A young Nadal modelling himself on Federer Djokovic eager for Dubai comeback after vaccine controversy Read more stories on Tennis. More Videos 25 years of Tata Open - Best moments, from Nadal and Wawrinka to Somdev and Lee-Hesh Australia activists react to 'Where is Peng Shuai' shirts being allowed after backlash Novak Djokovic has been deported from Australia, 21st Grand Slam title has to wait Novak Djokovic Australian Open controversy: Who said what Djokovic's father leads protest against tennis star's treatment in Australia The Djokovic deportation saga: Visa cancelled, Aus Open participation in doubt From Nadal and Raducanu to Barty, a glimpse of stars training for Australian Open 2022 The Week That Was (Dec 26- Jan 2): England's Ashes humiliation, India wins at Centurion, Messi tests COVID-19 positive