Ashleigh Barty, Ozeki

Ashleigh Barty became the 41st female Ozeki (=Champion) of the open era today winning the 2019 French Open. Together with reaching the quarterfinals at the 2019 Australian Open, this suffices to clear the ‘big hurdle’ (the meaning of ‘Ozeki’ in Japanese). The Australian was thus far better known as a doubles specialist - and as a professional cricket player, a passion for which she once interrupted her tennis career - but put herself firmly on the map now as an elite singles contestant.

Her opponent in the final, Marketa Vondrousova, will be promoted to Sekiwake (=Junior Champion 1), and there is also a new Komusubi (=Junior Champion 2) in semi-finalist Amanda Anisimova. Both Vondrousava and Asiminova are teenagers - the face of ladies' tennis appears to be changing rapidly, even though recently crowned Yokzouna (=Grand Champion) Naomi Osaka - herself only 21 years old - exited in round 3 this time.

In the mens' game, Dai-Yokozuna (=Great Grand Champion) Rafael Nadal and Komusubi (and ex-Sekiwake) Dominik Thiem will contest the final, in a repeat of last year.