Osaka wobbles but wins second round tie

Naomi Osaka suffered a second set wobble before she saw off the challenge of Madison Brengle at the Australian Open today.

Defending champion Osaka overcame her own errors to eventually prevail 6-0 6-4.

“I want to say I returned pretty well,” Osaka said.

“That’s not my usual strength but I’ve been really working on it during the off-season so I’m really glad it came in handy too.”

Brengle couldn’t compete with Osaka in the first set as she smashed 13 unanswered winners and lost just nine points.

Naomi Osaka takes a drink break during her round two match on Rod Laver Arena. Photo: Mark Dadswell/TENNIS AUSTRALIA

But Brengle came out for the second set revived and won her first game against Osaka, raising her fists to the sky and mouthing “yes”, then “thank you”.

Osaka then made a number of errors as Brengle grabbed a break and a 4-3 lead.

That sparked Osaka, and she quickly broke back and rolled off nine consecutive points to take the match.

Osaka will next face Amanda Anisimova, who beat No.22 seed Belinda Bencic in straight sets.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Underdogs GB pull off BJK win over Australia

Team GB pulled off  a 3–1 victory over Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup…

5 days ago

Superb Sinner drops Alcaraz to return to ATP No. 1

Jannik Sinner will take back the No. 1 ranking on Monday after winning his fourth…

6 days ago

Djoko dropping hints that career has short shelf life

Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching,…

6 days ago

Sinner, Alcaraz set title clash on Monte Carlo clay

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz fulfilled expectations on Saturday as the top pair in the…

7 days ago

Sinner can do no wrong against Zverev

Jannik Sinner put pure power on display Saturday as the Italian reached his first Monte Carlo…

7 days ago

300th win sends Alcaraz into Monte Carlo final four

Carlos Alcaraz earned the 300th win of his ATP career as the Spaniard rolled 6-3,…

1 week ago