List of inspirational WTA players who have come back from the brink to win the Australian Open Title


List of inspirational WTA players who have come back from the brink to win the Australian Open Title
Serena Williams Monica Sales Naomi Osaka

You need talent to win a Tennis Grand Slam, but what you need more is perhaps mental fortitude. Here’s a look at all the women tennis champions who have come back from match point or points down during the course of a match in the Australian Open, to eventually go on and win the tournament that year. 

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#Monica Sales in 1991 

Monica Sales

The former World no.1 Monica Sales from Yugoslavia (now Serbia) is the first on the list. A tennis player who could have been an all time great until her career was cut short by a very unfortunate incident, she was stabbed by a German fan, on court. A nemesis of German Star Steffi Graf, this lady finished with 9 Grand Slams to her name.

 In the 1991 Australian Open where she was seeded No.2 , Monica Seles saved a match point serving down 5-6 in the third set to Mary Joe Fernandez. She won that match, semifinals, 6-3, 0-6, 9-7.  

#Jennifer Capriati in 2002 

Jennifer Capriati

Second on the list is American Jennifer Capriati. Capriati, considered by many as one of the best American talents, beat several odds as a young kid to become a professional tennis player. She finished her career with 3 Grand Slam titles.

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In the 2002 Australian Open Final, Capriati beat 4 match points receiving, while 5-3 down in the second set, to come back and beat Martina Hingis, 4-6 7-6 6-2. 

#Serena Williams in 2003

Serena Williams

Third on the list is American Serena Williams. Williams is perhaps the greatest tennis player of all times, and already has 24 Grand Slam titles to her name. In the 2003 Australian Open Semi Finals Serena fended off 2 match points against Kim Clijsters, and rallied from 1-5 down to win 4-6 6-3 7-5. 

#Serena Williams in 2004

Serena Williams

Fourth on the list is Serena Williams again. In what is still one of her best comeback victories till date, she beat Maria Sharapova at the Australian Open Semi Finals in 2005. Serena saved 3 match points, and eventually took the match 2-6 7-5 8-6. 

#Na Li in 2014

Na Li

Number five on the list is Na Li from China. Perhaps the most decorated tennis player to come out of China, this lady has 2 grand Slam titles to her credit. 

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In the 2014 Australian Open, Na Li saved 1 match point against Lucie Safarova in the 3rd round. She won the match 1-6, 7-6, 6-3. 

#Angelique Kerber in 2016

Angelique Kerber

Sixth on the list is Angelique Kerber from Germany. The lady with 3 Grand Slam wins is also a former world no.1. In the 2016 Australian Open she had to fend off a match point against her 1st round opponent Misaki Doi. She went on to win the match 6-7 7-6 6-3. 

#Caroline Wozniacki in 2018

Caroline Wozniacki

Seventh on the list is Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. This former World no.1 has only 1 Grand Slam to her name. During the 2018 Australian Open, she had to save 2 match points against her 2nd round opponent Jana Fett. She won the match 3-6 6-2 7-5. 

#Naomi Osaka in 2021

Naomi Osaka

Last but not the least, at number 8 is Naomi Osaka of Japan. She won the Australian open in 2021, and on the way had to fend off 2 match points against Garbine Muguruza in the 4th round encounter. With this in, Osaka has 4 Grand Slam titles to her name. 

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