US Open winner Osaka takes time out after shock defeat to Pliskova in Tokyo
▶ Japanese star blames fatigue for loss and drops out of next tournament in China
Former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova stunned in-form Japanese star Naomi Osaka in straights sets to capture the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo yesterday.
The fourth seed needed just 63 minutes to complete a clinical 6-4, 6-4 victory over the newly crowned US Open champion, bringing Osaka’s 10-match winning streak to a shuddering halt.
“I’m just happy it didn’t go to three sets,” said the Czech, who had been taken the distance in her previous three matches and had spent almost twice as long on court than her opponent during the tournament.
“Sometimes you have your toughest match in the final. And sometimes you have to fight so hard to get there and suddenly becomes the easier match.
“I needed a match like this. But the confidence is getting higher and higher with every match win; I won a lot of tough matches against tough opponents here. With every win I feel better and better.
“My serve is my biggest weapon and it was key today,” added Pliskova after scooping an 11th career title.
“Naomi was maybe a little bit tired, you could see that. But the future is bright for her and congrats to her for an incredible few weeks.”
For Osaka, the emotional affects of claiming the US Open title earlier this month – a victory overshadowed by opponent Serena Williams’ remarkable tirade against the umpire – and becoming Japan’s first grand-slam winner appears to have finally caught up with her.
“I have literally never been so tired in my entire life,” she said after the defeat. “I haven’t really had much time to rest, so I feel tired right now.
“To play the final of the US Open and then to come here, I did pretty well.
“So if there is anything I can take from this it is that I am proud of myself.”
Later yesterday, Osaka announced that she was pulling out of this week’s Wuhan Open, citing a “viral illness”.
As for the final itself, the players had split their previous two meetings, but Osaka started the final as favourite after her historic New York triumph.
And the third seed began in menacing fashion, thumping an ace down the middle on the first point and holding her first two service games to love. But Pliskova slowly turned the screw and broke for 3-2 with a fizzing backhand her opponent swished well wide.
The Czech was soon a set to the good after unleashing another brutal drive, Osaka caught flat-footed and dumping it into the net.
Runner-up in Tokyo two years ago, Osaka has climbed to seventh in the world rankings but she looked lost for ideas against Pliskova.
The 20-year-old buried her head in a towel during the changeover and things barely improved in the second set, Osaka whacking her racquet against her sneakers in anger at her wastefulness.
As the strain began to show, a dejected Osaka called for coach Sascha Bajin and groaned: “I feel so stressed out.”
Sensing blood, Pliskova broke for 5-4 after a poor Osaka drop shot gifted her an easy put-away and moments later she delivered the coup de grace with a sixth ace that Osaka barely wafted her racquet at.
For Pliskova, it was a first tournament victory since Stuttgart in April - and the first since wedding long-time partner Michal Hrdlicka in the summer.
“The first one this year was before the wedding,” smiled the Czech. “I’m just happy that I also have a title as a married woman.”
In clinching the title, Pliskova took a big step towards securing her spot at the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore, the victory putting her just ahead of Kiki Bertens for the eighth and final berth in next month’s field.