via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 21, 2022. Japan’s Naomi Osaka during a press conference after losing her third-round match against Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 21, 2022. Japan’s Naomi Osaka during a press conference after losing her third-round match against Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
Naomi Osaka has had a disappointing 2022 season by her standards. She has arguably been inconsistent across the tournaments this year. Earlier this year, she failed to defend her Australian Open crown, losing against Amanda Anisimova in the third round. Further, at the French Open, she bowed out of the opening round, losing against Anisimova once again. Her best result this year has been a runner-up finish at the Miami Open.
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Additionally, her injuries haven’t helped her cause either. She was forced to miss the grass-court season, including the Wimbledon Championships owing to an Achilles injury. Osaka has made a comeback at the Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose. She received a big surprise during her first-round match at the tournament.
96-year-old fan proves to be a lucky charm for Naomi Osaka
The four-time Grand Slam champion was up against China’s Qinwen Zheng in the first round in San Jose. Osaka had to dig deep to overcome the challenge of her Chinese opponent in three sets.
To support Osaka, a 96-year-old fan, Priscila traveled from Stockton to San Jose along with her family. She proved to be a lucky charm for Osaka as she advanced into the next round. After her victory, Osaka took selfies with Priscila and her family.
These fans got the selfie of the day! @naomiosaka, 96-year-old fan Priscila from Stockton, and her family! 🥰 #MubadalaSVC pic.twitter.com/UG8IEAhWN3
— Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic (@MubadalaSVC) August 3, 2022
It was the first meeting between Osaka and Zheng. The former began the match brightly, taking the opening set 6-4. However, Zheng came back strongly to level the match by winning the second set 6-3.
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 30: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic during their Women’s Singles first round match on Day One of the 2021 US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Further, the deciding set was a one-sided affair, with Osaka prevailing 6-1 to enter the next round.
Osaka faces Coco Gauff next
In the second round, the former world number one will take on American Coco Gauff in a blockbuster match. Earlier, Gauff defeated Anhelina Kalinina 6-1, 6-0 to enter the second round in San Jose.
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It will be their fourth meeting on the WTA Tour, with Naomi Osaka leading the head-to-head battle 2-1 so far. It’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top in this exciting battle.
