"These are the type of matches that I need to play in Grand Slams" says Osaka after tough win over Brengle at Australian Open

Brengle is a player known to get the ball back quite a few times and for Osaka who likes to dominate rallies, it can be a bit of a problem. The lack of patience was evident in the 2nd set as Osaka faced 10 break points saving 9 of them. Ultimately she was able to win the 2nd set with 6-4 after demolishing Brengle in the first 6-0.

Speaking on the match and her opponent, Osaka said:

"I remember when I was younger, I would watch her play in the pro circuit. She was kind of notorious for getting every ball back. So I just took those memories from back then and tried to tell myself, like, you're probably going to make a lot of unforced errors this match, but it's something you have to do because you can't let her dictate you in this match in the way that she would try to - like, to keep the ball in play."

Osaka played very well under pressure saving 9 of the breakpoints but her disappointment was very visible when she dropped her serve. On that she said:

"In that moment, of course, I was really disappointed with myself, but I also think these are the type of matches that I need to play in Grand Slams - to get broken and to figure out a way to fight back in really crucial times."

She finished off with:

"I thought that for me, I rushed a lot in that specific service game, and you could kind of tell I was a bit shaky. I made a double fault where I really shouldn't have made a double fault. But I tried to shake that off in the return game right after, and I think I did pretty well there."