Naomi Osaka is crushing the ball in her first match back since giving birth. There are few things more satisfying than watching Naomi crack her ground strokes. 16 months off but it feels like she never left. 🇯🇵
MATCH REPORT | 2024 Brisbane International: Stellar return of Naomi OSAKA conquering Tamara KORPATSCH in exceptional form
WTAMonday, 01 January 2024 at 10:41
Naomi Osaka
made a triumphant return at the WTA 500 Brisbane Open, securing a significant
victory over Tamara Korpatsch with a score of 6-3, 7-6(9) to advance to the second
round of the tournament. The Japanese player had been away from competition for
15 months due to her pregnancy and the birth of her first child.
Korpatsch
had a remarkable 2023, clinching her first WTA title at the Transylvania Open
in October by defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse (6-3, 6-4). The German achieved her
highest ranking as world No. 73 after the title in Romania, although she ended
the year at No. 84.
Osaka
displayed a promising start in the match with an early break without dropping a
point. The 4-times Grand Slam champion entered the court with great momentum,
swiftly aiming for deep shots to trouble her opponent and took a 2-0 lead.
Korpatsch regained confidence with her serve and held it until 3-5, where she
served to stay in the set. Osaka seized the second set point to lead 6-3.
During her
service, Osaka faced few problems in the set and did not allow any break points
for her opponent. Osaka concluded the set with a 50% first-serve percentage but
was highly effective, winning 100% of those points and 55% with the second
serve.
In the
beginning of the second set, Tamara Korpatsch secured her first break with some errors
from Osaka, but the Japanese player quickly recovered the break. Both held
their serves until 4-3 in favor of Osaka, but then the 28-year-old German
couldn't maintain her service.
Osaka had
the opportunity to close the match with her service. However, Korpatsch broke
back, and then they leveled the score at 5-5, leaving the match in suspense.
The set extended to the tie-break, where ultimately the Japanese player secured
the victory with a score of 6-3, 7-6(9).
The former
world No. 1 showcased excellent mobility during the match, displaying her
characteristic aggressive shots from the baseline, particularly with her
forehand, which posed significant challenges for Korpatsch. Despite making
several errors due to her time away from competition, Osaka played at a high
level and outperformed her opponent for much of the match. The victory secures
her return to the WTA rankings, at least at world No. 710.
In the
second round, she will face the 16th seed Karolina Pliskova in a matchup
between two former world No. 1 players. The Czech had a bye in the first round
and will play her first match in over three months, as a left wrist injury
forced her to end the 2023 season in September after a defeat at the
Guadalajara Open against Haley Baptiste (6-7, 7-5, 6-7).
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