Naomi Osaka has welcomed the test that came in a successful WTA Tour return in Brisbane that mixed her thunderous best with some forgettable moments.
On Monday, Japan’s previous top-ranked player and winner of four major tournaments triumphed over Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (11-9) at the Brisbane International. This marked her return to the WTA tour after a 15-month absence and her first match since giving birth to her daughter in July.
The 26-year-old player hit 36 impressive shots, mostly on the forehand, and made 29 mistakes in a nearly two-hour long match.
Osaka expressed that she had a sense of Shai’s presence while playing, her daughter who is currently in the US. She wanted to perform well for her.
The beginning of the match was filled with happiness as they easily won the first game without letting their opponent score. However, there was some annoyance when they were broken while trying to serve for the win at 5-3 in the second set. The 83rd-ranked player, Korpatsch, managed to save two match points and also had two opportunities to win the set during a tense 70-minute tiebreak.
In the end, Osaka’s powerful forehand helped her overcome the difficult situation. She happily interacted with fans by signing autographs and taking selfies after the match.
When questioned about whether she would have preferred an easy win, she replied, “I would rather have won the way I played.” She acknowledged that some of her choices may not have been the wisest, but she believes that facing tougher opponents will prepare her for future challenges.
“I am extremely proud of my performance. Despite feeling nervous throughout the match, I was able to push through and come out with a win. I hope to use this experience as a stepping stone for future matches. My upcoming match against former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova will be a challenging test.” This match will surely be an exciting showdown as Pliskova, a two-time champion in Brisbane, is known for her incredible skills on the court.
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Arina Rodionova of Australia has advanced to the second round, and Daria Saville, who is now fit, will try to join her by playing against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska later today at Pat Rafter Arena. Rain has delayed play on the outside courts, including a match between Australians Kimberly Birrell and Olivia Gadecki.
Aryna Sabalenka, the current champion of the Australian Open, will be joined by Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin, and Sloane Stephens in the 64-player women’s draw for the Australian Open in Melbourne, which is considered an important preparation event for the tournament.
