Kvitova, Osaka to Clash in Australian Open Final

CAIRO, Jan.24 (SEE)- Petra Kvitova will face off against Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open final after they each won their semi-finals on Thursday .

Kvitova defeated Danielle Collins 7-6 6-0 before Osaka beat Karolina Pliskova 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the semi-finals.

For Kvitova in particular, qualifying for a Grand Slam final represents a major achievement two years after she went through hand surgery having after being involved in a knife attack.

Kvitova has twice won Wimbledon, most recently in 2014, but is now gearing up to claim a third Grand Slam title. She added: "It's been five years. That's why I worked hard to be back here. It tastes great."

This represents Japanese-born Osaka who is onlu 20 yeas old's second Grand Slam final after winning the US Open last year against Serena Williams.