Australian Open: Kvitova trounces Dan Collins, Osaka edges Pliskova to reach women's singles final

Petra Kvitova reached her first grand slam final since being stabbed, after she beat America's Dan Collins in the first women's singles final of the Australian Open played out at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

Petra Kvitova

Melbourne: Petra Kvitova reached her first grand slam final since being stabbed, after she beat America's Dan Collins in the first women's singles final of the Australian Open played out at Melbourne Park on Thursday. The eight seed Kvitova beat the unseeded American Dan Collins in straight sets 7-6, 6-0 to book a place in the title clash. The Czech tennis ace shall take on Japanese Naomi Osaka who beat Karolina Pliskova in the second women's singles semifinal. Kvitova dominated a hard fought tie-break to win a tight first set, in which the roof was closed at 4-4. The two-time Wimbledon champion dominated the second set all the way to blank her opponent 6-0 and win the semifinal tie. In the second semifinal, Naomi Osaka edged past Karolia Pliskova in a marathon three set encounter to seal a place in the title clash against Petra Kvitova. Escastic after her semifinal win, Kvitova had the following to say  "This means everything, that's why I work really hard - to be in a final at a Grand Slam," she said. "Finally, I made it deep into a major. Whatever happens in the final I am very happy." Kvitova has had a sensational run in the tournament as she hasn't dropped a single set in her march to the finals...She had beaten 15th seed and crowd favourite Ashleigh Barthy to seal a spot in the semis