Naomi Osaka came back from one set down to beat Sofia Kenin 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-1 after 2 hours and 21 minutes reaching the quarter finals at the Brisbane International for the second consecutive year.
Osaka has improved her winning streak to 13 matches, that includes two titles in Osaka and Beijing and a win at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen before withdrawing due to a shoulder injury.
Both players saved break points at the start of the first set. Osaka fended off a break point with an ace in the third game. Kenin saved two chances before holding serve with a backhand winner down the line. Osaka earned four set points, as Kenin was serving to stay in the set at 4-5. Kenin fended them off after five deuces with a forehand winner. Kenin won six consecutive points from 1-3 down to seal the tie-break 7-3.
Twelve consecutive holds were followed by three consecutive breaks at the start of the second set. Osaka broke twice in a row to take a 2-1 lead. The Japanese player held on her service games before converting her fifth break point chance in the ninth game to close out the second set.
Osaka broke serve in the second game at love with three consecutive winners to open up a 2-0 lead. Osaka did not face a break point in the third set and dropped a total of seven points on serve. Osaka broke serve at deuce in the sixth game to open up a 5-1 and closed out the match by holding serve at deuce with consecutive aces.
“I was serving very well throughout the entire match, so I am very happy with that. Since I had the shoulder injury that forced me to withdraw from the WTA Finals in October, I have not really been practicing my serve, so I feel like every serve should count, and it’s been working out really well”, said Osaka.
Osaka set up a quarter final against Kiki Bertens, who edged past Anett Kontaveit 6-3 2-6 7-5 after 2 hours and 1 minute in a late-night match.
