US Open champion Naomi Osaka overcame an early scare to dismiss Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova 4-6, 6-0, 6-4, at the Brisbane International.
The second seed looked to be in danger early on when she was broken at both the start and end of the opening set. Handing the advantage firmly to Sevastova. Despite the blip, Osaka managed to fight back with an increased intensity to produce a clinical display in set number two to draw level. Then in the decider it was a single break three games in that proved critical. Osaka broke to love with the help of a Sevastova forehand error on break point. Enabling the Japanese player to eventually close out the match with an ace down the line.
“In the first set I was really nervous and I felt that I was making a lot of unforced errors.” Osaka said afterwards. “I think that was probably the biggest reason why I lost (the first set). But she (Sevastova) was playing good and she is an amazing player.
“I was just trying to stay calm, tell myself that she is one of the best players in the world. I just had to stay in there to get a chance, and I think I did. I just rolled with it.” She added.
Osaka’s latest win saw her hit 34 winners to 23 unforced errors. Furthermore, the world No.5 converted all four of her break point opportunities and fired 11 aces past her rival. Winning 12 out of the last 16 games of the match. She will next play either Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko or Estonian Anett Kontaveit in the semi-finals.
“Right now I feel really confident in my game,” Naomi Osaka says about turning things around vs Sevastova. “I knew I needed to rally my game… This was an important win… it’s harder for me to play against girls like her“ #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/jY4tauuLM2
— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) January 3, 2019
Shortly after Osaka’s match, a special ceremony took place for her coach. Sascha Bajin was named the WTA Coach of the Year for his work with the 21-year-old. Becoming the first ever winner of the award. Under Bajin’s guidance, Osaka has won two WTA titles (Indian Wells and the US Open) and broke into the world’s top five. The two started working together in December 2017.
https://twitter.com/BrisbaneTennis/status/1080731298556039168
This week could be an historic one for Osaka if results go in her favour. Should she win the Brisbane title, the rising star could rise to third in the WTA Rankings as long as Wozniacki doesn’t win the Auckland trophy. Should she achieve this, Osaka would be the first Japanese player – man or woman – to crack the top three.
