Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts during her women’s singles match against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic on the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 3, 2024. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)
Naomi Osaka said Wednesday she was “super upset” but just being on court was a “personal win” after her return to tennis on the Brisbane International was ended by defending champion Karolina Pliskova.
Pliskova, who won the tournament the last time it was held in 2020, bounced back from losing the primary set to grind down the Japanese star 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 within the second round.
World number two Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, thumped Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-0 in a dominant display on Pat Rafter Arena.
“Regardless that it’s super disappointing today, I do know that if I keep training and if I keep putting within the work, then I’ll eventually get to where I need to be,” said Osaka.
“It’s type of tough because she has such a fantastic serve — my break points might have been higher, but I believe apart from that, we each played very well.
“Even stepping on the court is a private win because a few weeks ago I used to be even doubting if I could play with everyone,” she added.
“So I suppose these two matches that I’ve had type of prove to me that I’m doing okay, and the yr is just going to recover for me.”
Naomi Osaka of Japan waves as she leaves after losing her women’s singles match against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic on the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 3, 2024. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)
The four-time Grand Slam champion had not played a tournament since September 2022, citing mental health concerns. She had a baby daughter in July before deciding to make a comeback.
After a formidable first-round win over Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch, Osaka began strongly against the Thirty ninth-ranked Pliskova, breaking the Czech’s opening service game.
Pliskova, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, leveled but Osaka broke again to take a 4-2 lead then held on to bank the opening set.
The momentum began to shift within the second set because the tall Pliskova began to search out the mark together with her serve.
She won the second set tiebreak then got an early break within the third, holding on with ease to take the match in 2hr 13min.
Pliskova has won the Brisbane International thrice and said she felt higher and higher because the match progressed.
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic celebrates after her women’s singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 3, 2024. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / –IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE–
“I assumed I played quite well — there are lots of things to enhance but it surely’s a very good start,” said Pliskova, adding that after a first-round bye and having not played since September, she needed time to search out her feet.
“You may practice as much as you would like but in matches it’s at all times somewhat bit different,” she said.
Reigning Australian Open champion Sabalenka was in imperious form against Bronzetti, breaking the Italian once in the primary set and thrice within the second.
“I’m super blissful with the performance and I believe I played a extremely great match,” said Sabalenka, who won 24 points to Bronzetti’s five within the second set.
“I just hope I can keep this same level for every match, and even higher.
