SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 18, 2022

 
Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka eased past Madison Brengle to stretch her Aussie Open winning streak to nine.

Photo Source: Getty

Naomi Osaka played such devastating tennis in the first set of her second-round victory over American Madison Brengle that an inspired Andy Murray had to tweet about it.

“Anyone hit the ball cleaner off the baseline than Naomi Osaka?” he asked.


If there is anyone that hits a cleaner ball than the four-time Grand Slam champion, it sure didn’t seem that way in the early moments of the match as Osaka took violent cuts and connected more often than not, racing through the first six games in 20 minutes and leaving all spectators – including her gobsmacked opponent – in awe.

Those who haven’t had the privilege of enjoying the Naomi Osaka experience of late, due primarily to the fact that she played sparingly in 2021 owing to personal issues, have been quickly reacquainted with the lethal, head-spinning snap of her strokes and the menacing, jarring way she powers through the ball, uncorking herself and unleashing the energy suddenly as if she were a cracking a whip.

When Osaka’s flying high, as she was in the opening set, she’s unplayable. And even when she came back down to earth in the second set, after Brengle won her first game and glanced at the heavens with a look of hard-earned relief on her face, Osaka demonstrated the perfect complement to all that jaw-dropping brute force that she possesses: her poise.


Suddenly the defending champ was down a break in the second set against a player who is known to play “confusing” tennis that consists of disorienting softballs, a wicked backhand and a whole lotta fight. Not to worry, Osaka answered the bell on the biggest points, cut off Brengle at the pass, and raced to the finish by winning the last nine points.

In the end it was the perfect performance from Osaka. One does not want matches to be too breezy when one is about to enter a really tough section of the draw, as the No.13 seed most certainly is. The defending champion will face red-hot Amanda Anisimova next, a dangerous player who won a title at Melbourne two weeks ago, and who has now reeled off seven straight victories.

If successful, a marquee matchup with World No.1 Ash Barty looms in the round of 16 for Osaka. All that to reach the quarters? No joke.

Osaka has earned rave reviews thus far for her ball-striking, spot-on footwork, and ability to deliver under pressure. But the real test starts on Day 5 with Anisimova.

Both players are excited for the challenge.

“I think it would be very exciting to play Naomi,” Anisimova said after her Day 3 win over Belinda Bencic. “I've been wanting to play her for a while. It would be fun to match up with her in the third round. I'll enjoy it, I'll enjoy the atmosphere. She's an amazing player, so I'll look forward to that.”

"She has a really good return and she has a great backhand and I’m expecting it to be a little bit different from my match today,” Osaka said. “I think we’re both going to take our chances, it’s going to be really exciting.”

The 24-year-old says knows she’ll need to be wary of Anisimova. The former World No.21, still 20 years of age, is currently ranked 60 but clearly reconnecting with the best parts of her game as she works with legendary coach Darren Cahill on a trial in Australia this year.

“I remember being a younger player myself and feeling like I have nothing to lose,” said Osaka, with a smile.

Osaka herself, doesn't have the luxury of believing there is nothing to lose anymore. She knows the stakes are high in every match she plays, as a global icon, mega brand ambassador and a proven champion, but she appears to be in a far better headspace this season in relation to it all. She says she is intent, more than anything else, on having fun and not letting the pressure drag her down.

“I feel like the goal for me is just to have fun, and I’m grateful for my team because I think that we’re accomplishing that,” she said.

 

Latest News