Collins smothers Osaka comeback attempt

The comeback effort of Naomi Osaka was snuffed out 7-5, 6-0 by Danielle Collins on Tuesday in the first round of the WTA Abu Dhabi event.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka was made to look average by her American opponent, with the Japanese player who gave birth last year losing her third consecutive match of a return effort more than a year away on maternity leave.

2022 Australian Open runner-up Collins wrapped up her beatdown in 84 minutes, leaving Osaka shell-shocked and perhaps doubting the wisdom of her effort.

“I felt a little like a ‘failure’, but I don’t want to be too harsh,” she said after losing her third match of a four played so far in the comeback campaign.

“I’m less confident but I’m not too unconfident to think that I can’t play really good tennis.

“I really just need to get through a really tough match and then acknowledge that that’s going to happen quite a couple of times.”

Osaka wasted six break points against Collins, who had to qualify into the field at the 500 series tournament.

“Everyone around me is telling me I’m playing well and I don’t think I’m playing bad,” Osaka added. 

“I just need to believe in myself more and I think as soon as I got broken my belief dipped a lot.”

Main photo:- Danielle Collins wins in Abu Dhabi by WTATennis.com