Naomi Osaka Makes a Stunning Comeback in Beijing
In an electrifying display of resilience, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka orchestrated a remarkable comeback against No. 21 seed Yulia Putintseva in the second round of the China Open, held in Beijing. Osaka, a champion of this tournament in 2019, came from a set down to secure a thrilling victory with a final score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. This match marked a significant milestone for Osaka, as it was her first successful comeback after a 22-match streak of losing when dropping the first set—a statistic she was eager to overturn.
During the post-match interview, Osaka shared her motivation, stating, "I heard that stat from my agent, and I wanted to break it really bad because I knew that I also had a stat about three-setters before I took my break, so that was really important to me." She emphasized the importance of proving to herself that she could compete effectively, even when not playing at her absolute best. This victory not only enhances her confidence but also extends her win streak at the China Open to eight matches.
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Facing off against Putintseva for the second time this season, Osaka struggled initially, as the Kazakh player looked sharper, utilizing various spins and paces to keep Osaka on her toes. Putintseva capitalized on a three-game lapse from Osaka, winning 12 out of the next 14 points. Despite the rough start, Osaka remained determined. “I just told myself to keep fighting,” she said on the court. “I traveled all the way here, so it would be a little bit injustice to myself to not try as hard as I can. So just tried to dig deep.”
Although Osaka started the match with 19 unforced errors and only served at 50%, she quickly adjusted her game, earning and converting her first break point in the second set. Even when Putintseva leveled the score at 4-4, Osaka's confidence surged as she tightened her baseline game, winning the final two games of the set to force a decisive third set.
As the final set commenced, Osaka’s rhythm improved, and she quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead, maintaining her dominance to close out the match after 1 hour and 46 minutes. Throughout the remainder of the match, Osaka displayed her formidable skills, hitting a total of 30 winners and committing only 18 unforced errors.
With this hard-fought victory, Osaka has now leveled her head-to-head record against Putintseva to 3-3, and she expressed her aspirations for the rest of the tournament. “I’m trying to think this is the last push of the year, and I really want to do well. I’ve always done well here in my career,” she noted, highlighting her determination to finish the year on a high note.
Next up for Osaka is a clash against No. 60 Katie Volynets, and fans are eager to see if she can carry this momentum forward. With her winning streak and newfound confidence, Osaka appears poised to make a significant impact at this tournament, showcasing her undeniable talent and fighting spirit on the court. This match not only signifies a turning point for Osaka but also sets the stage for what could be a thrilling end to her season as she gears up for the Australian Open.
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