Naomi Osaka has overcome Alison Riske 6-3, 6-4 to progress to the quarter-finals of the
Miami Open for a second year running.
The run in Florida is a positive contrast to Indian Wells where Osaka went out in her second match in emotional fashion after being heckled by a fan, since revealing she has begun attending therapy.
Following the match with Riske, Naomi Osaka joked that her coach Wim Fisette might not be entirely satisfied with her performance despite winning in straight sets.
She said:
“Wim [Fisette] told me to hit heavy
on [Riske’s] forehand but clearly I was playing her game because for me I
have to think to hit heavy. I just wanted to see what would happen if I just played regular, like what I wanted to do. So he might scold me for that a little bit.”
Osaka dominated in the majority of the matches and despite that, she's not sure she's feeling too confident in her game but she is enjoying playing in Miami:
I’m not sure if I feel confident to be honest. But, I just want to make the most of the time I have here.”