Japanese wild card Naomi Osaka thrilled home fans reaching her first WTA final in Tokyo last week.

Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and father is Haitian, trains in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Though she represents Japan, China's Zhang Shuai says the 18-year-old Osaka's aggressive baseline game is an American style of play. Osaka cites Serena Williams as her tennis role model.

"Although (Osaka) is Japanese, she does not play very Japanese," Zhang told the media in Wuhan. "She has an American style in playing tennis. She cannot represent the Japanese player."

Zhang, who beat Osaka, 6-3, 6-2, the week before the teenager's run to the Toray Pan Pacific Open final, said government support gives Chinese players an edge over Japanese players.

"I think we all have our characteristics," Zhang said. "Both China and Japan have very good facilities and are holding many good matches. I think, compared with Japanese players, we have a great advantage in terms of government support. Because of the support, we should have more opportunities."

Photo credit: Toray Pan Pacific Open