Back in the final: Naomi Osaka will fight for ASB Classic title after dominating Alycia Parks
WTA
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka defeated Alycia Parks 6-4, 6-2 at the ASB Classic, reaching her first WTA final in nearly three years. The Japanese star appears to have regained her form at the start of the season, dispatching the American young talent with ease.
The former World No. 1 has secured her return to the top 50 after almost a year and will face Danish player Clara Tauson for the title. Osaka currently holds a 7-4 record in finals, with her last title coming nearly four years ago at the 2021 Australian Open, where she beat American Jennifer Brady.
Interestingly, of the 11 finals Osaka has played, she had never before reached a WTA 250 final (with three in WTA 500s, four in WTA 1000s, and four in Grand Slams).
The 27-year-old was exceptional on serve, landing 75% of her first serves and winning 62% of those points. Although she started the first set at a disadvantage after conceding a break, she quickly turned things around, winning four consecutive games before closing the set 6-4.
In the second set, Osaka got off to the best possible start, earning an early break and taking a 2-0 lead within minutes. Parks struggled to respond to Osaka's serve, and her own serve's effectiveness waned as the set progressed. Parks won only 52% of her service points in the second set, compared to Osaka’s 71%. A second break put Osaka ahead 5-1, and she sealed the victory on her serve (6-4, 6-2).
Osaka will face Clara Tauson on Saturday in the final, a player she has never faced before. Currently ranked World No. 49, Osaka could rise to No. 42 with a title win, just in time for the Australian Open.
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Naomi Osaka’s footwork to prepare a down the line backhand 😍 pic.twitter.com/4212oIMx1S
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 4, 2025
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