BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Naomi Osaka’s first event since changing into a mom resulted in a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 second-round loss Wednesday to three-time champion Karolina Pliskova on the Brisbane Worldwide.
Osaka, who has received the Australian Open and the U.S. Open singles titles twice, received her first match on the elite degree since late 2022 on Monday in straight units in opposition to Tamara Korpatsch.
After that win, she stated the start in July of her daughter, Shai, and the adjustments to her mindset since changing into a mom had given her a greater perspective on tennis.
A second-round encounter that includes two former No. 1-ranked gamers was a step up in tempo and a greater indication of how Osaka’s preparations are going for the Australian Open beginning Jan. 14 in Melbourne.
“The week is certainly shorter than I wished it to be,” Osaka stated in a information convention. “Total, I believe it was an amazing match and I had plenty of enjoyable.
“I’ve skilled so laborious since giving start, I have to get pleasure from these moments.”
Osaka received the primary set however Pliskova recovered and fired 16 aces and hit 50 winners, saving 10 of the 12 breakpoint probabilities she confronted and making amends for her 11 double-faults.
“I noticed the stats after and my break factors might have been higher,” Osaka stated, “however I believe apart from that we each performed very well … so hopefully she says the identical factor!”
A former finalist at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open now ranked thirty ninth, the 31-year-old Pliskova was enjoying for the primary time since September after a left wrist damage curtailed her 2023 season.
“Lots of issues to enhance, however an excellent begin,” to the season, stated Pliskova, who had her left wrist and hand taped for the opening match of the day on Pat Rafter Area.
High seed and defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka had a 6-3, 6-0 win over Lucia Bronzetti of Italy within the following match.
Second-seeded Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, was scheduled to satisfy Olivia Gadecki in an evening match.
Osaka’s subsequent match will likely be an exhibition in Melbourne on Rod Laver Area, the primary courtroom for the Australian Open, subsequent week.
