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'Choked that away': Fans stunned by 'catastrophic' Aus Open drama

andrew reid
·3-min read
Pictured here, Jennifer Brady in action during the Australian Open final.
Jennifer Brady's first set collapse handed the initiative to Naomi Osaka in the women's Australian Open final. Pic: Getty

America's Jennifer Brady has suffered a shocking first set collapse against Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open women's final on Saturday night.

Bidding to stop Osaka from claiming her fourth grand slam singles title from this, her fourth final, the American was up against it early on Rod Laver Arena.

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Brady came through a tricky opening service game but the nerves were jangling in her next one.

The American double faulted before finding herself three break points down.

The 22nd seed then served another double fault to give Osaka the game and a crucial early advantage.

However, Osaka was unable to take advantage as the World No.3 experienced her own struggles on serve.

Brady brushed off her woes from the previous game to grab an immediate break back, before finding her serving rhythm in a commanding sixth game.

The American began to unleash some of her trademark groundstrokes to try and force the issue with the three-time major champion.

With the first set back on serves, Brady berated herself in the eight game as her first serve continued to fail her.

Normally one of the 22nd seed's biggest weapons, Brady's first serve percentage was hovering below 35 percent for the opening set.

The American managed to hold, before setting up a big break point opportunity in the ninth game that saw her let out a loud roar.

Osaka held her nerve to keep Brady at bay, before edging closer to taking the opening set.

With Brady serving to stay in the opening stanza, the American again double faulted to open the door for Osaka.

The American then handed the third seed the opening set after hitting an unforced error into the net, with the court at her mercy.

Brady collapse hands Osaka the 1st set

Osaka has won 44 grand slam matches and only lost once when she's won the first set of a grand slam.

Viewers were left shattered for Brady after stunning collapse at the end of the first set.

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