Osaka Slams in another winner
NAOMI OSAKA raced to her second Australian Open title to join tennis legends Roger Federer and Monica Seles in winning her first four Grand Slam finals.
Japanese star Osaka again showed she has a big-match temperament by beating American Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3.
The reigning US Open champion has won 21 consecutive matches – and 14 in a row in Majors.
Andy Murray lost his first four Major finals but Osaka has now joined the Swiss and the Yugoslavborn American in getting off to a perfect start in her first four.
“That’s very amazing company,” she said. “I hope that I can have one grain of how their career has unfolded.
“You can only wish and just keep going down your own path. But it’s something crazy to hear.”
Osaka, 23, has now won two US Open and two Australian Open titles. Federer is on 20 and Seles won nine.
Eurosport analyst Mats Wilander backed the new world No.2 to win “10, 11,
12 minimum” before the end of her career.
But Osaka said: “Right now, I’m trying to go for five. I just like to live in the moment.”
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, was involved in another PR gaffe yesterday when his racquet sponsor Head had to quickly withdraw a press release congratulating him on a “record-breaking” ninth Australian Open title.
The world No.1 today faces Daniil Medvedev who is on a 20-match winning streak.
Former world No.2 Alex Corretja told Eurosport: “I I am expecting a very long match, both play a very similar game style.”
Murray will play world
No.79 Egor Gerasimov of Belarus in the first round of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier on his return to the ATP Tour this week.
WALES hooker Ken Owens believes under-performing England have paid a price for the rugby void their Saracens contingent fell into in the lead-up to this season’s Six Nations.
“It isn’t easy,” said Owens. “You can do as much training as you want but it’s never the same as playing a game.
“I’m sure they will be much better for the run outs they have had.”