Osaka powers past Serena in Miami
MIAMI: Naomi Osaka continued her stunning run of form with a 6- 3 6-2 victory over 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams in the first round of the Miami Open on Wednesday, the latest big win for the 20-year- old Japanese player.
Osaka backed up last week’s Indian Wells title triumph with a brilliant display in the eagerlyanticipated showdown on a day when former number one Victoria Azarenka also triumphed, while American Amanda Anisimova withdrew with an ankle injury.
The match, their first career meeting, remained on serve in the first set until the world number 22 forced break point opportunities at 3- 3 and took advantage when the American was unable to deal with a blistering backhand at her feet.
Osaka was able to break Williams again after a back-andforth deuce battle to take the first set, with her big serve and relentless return game proving even stronger in the second as she broke to move 3-1 ahead and never looked back.
The end of the contest was anticlimatic when an ugly unforced error by Williams, who hit a wide open forehand long, sent Osaka into a second round showdown against world number four Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.
“I was extremely nervous coming on to the court. I don’t know if anybody knows this but Serena is my favourite player,” Osaka said in an on- court interview.
“So just playing against her is kind of like a dream for me. I’m very grateful I was able to play her and it is even better that I was able to win.” — Reuters