World No.3 Naomi Osaka was issued with a stern test during her opening match at the Brisbane International on Tuesday.
The two-time grand slam champion was pushed to her limits during her two-hour win over Greece’s Maria Sakkari. Osaka, who is the third seed in the tournament, recovered from a 0-2 deficit in the deciding set to prevail 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3. Claiming her third victory against the world No.23 in their four meetings on the tour.
“I knew going into it that it was going to be a really hard match,” wtatennis.com quote Osaka as saying during her on-court interview. “I think in the second set, I was just complaining a lot in the tie-breaker. I was just trying to calm down and stay positive.”
Osaka, who is now under the guidance of coach Wim Fissette, achieved the latest victory with the help of a solid service display. Hitting 16 aces past Sakkari and being broken just once. A much needed confidence boost for the Australian Open champion who ended her 2019 season with a shoulder injury.
“I’m really happy with how I served,” Osaka said during her press conference. “I had to retire from my last match [in 2019] because of my shoulder thing, so I wasn’t really sure how I was going to serve today, but I was told I hit 16 aces, so that’s pretty good for me.
“Yeah, I think I served well. Return could be better, but it’s not anything that is so extreme that I’m nitpicking at it right now.
“I think I learned a lot during the match as the match went on, so hopefully that skill kind of hones during this entire tournament.”
Sofia Kenin will be the next test for the 22-year-old, who currently has five WTA titles to her name. The world No.14 enjoyed a slightly easier route into the last 16 after disposing of Anastasija Sevastova 7-6(1), 6-4, on Monday.
2011 champion Petra Kvitova endured a roller coaster start to her campaign. After dropping the opener, she went on to win 12 out of the last 13 games to defeat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6, 6-1, 6-0.
“I’m really happy that I stayed positive and came back to win,” Kvitova said during her on-court interview.
“It’s always tough playing Anastasia. She is a great hitter, moves very well and has a great serve. So it is always tough.” She added.
Kvitova will next play Russian qualifier Liudmila Samsonova, who knocked former US Open champion Sloane Stephens out of the tournament. Earlier today Stephens hit out at organizers over the scheduling of women’s matches.
Also making their way into the next round is Madison Keys. Who dropped only five games during her 6-3, 6-2, win over Marie Bouzkova.
Chaos in China
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Meanwhile, in Asia there was a duo of shock losses at the Shenzhen Open. Second seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka could only win eight games during her 6-4, 6-4, loss to Kristyna Pliskova. Ending her hopes of winning a fifth WTA title on Chinese soil this week.
“She’s playing so fast, so I had to be ready from the first point. My serve was there, which is always important, so I’m happy that I won,” wtatennis.com quoted Pliskova as saying after the match.
“I’m happy because I reached the quarterfinals here two years ago, so I’m happy to be back there and looking to see if I can do more.”
Pliskova will take on former top 30 player Kateryna Bondarenko in the quarter-finals. The Ukranian knocked out eighth seed Zhang Shuai in straight sets.
Joining Sabalenka on the casualty list is Belinda Bencic. The only top 10 player participating in this year’s event. The Swiss world No.8 was knocked out of the tournament by Anna Blinkova who recorded her first ever win over a top 10 player. Blinkova produced 12 aces during her 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, win. Setting herself up for a clash with Zarina Diyas in the next round.
“It was a great performance from me today,” said the world No.58. “I prepared very carefully and I’m happy that I played good tennis. I was thinking to just fight for every point. I’m feeling really good and I’m so happy.”
Finally, there was better fortunes for Elise Mertens, who saw off Chinese wild card Wang Xiyu 6-4, 6-3.
