Naomi Osaka makes extremely honest admission about – Sports News
Naomi Osaka had a lot to smile about after advancing to the second spherical of the US Open — however the World No. 23 conceded that her angle might nonetheless use some enchancment.
On Tuesday, Osaka defeated Greet Minnen in straight units, 6-3, 6-4, whereas donning a ruby-red sequin ensemble that swiftly caught the eye of followers. Several days prior, she and Gael Monfils fell to Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti, 5-3, 4-2, within the combined doubles match.
Speaking to reporters on the heels of the commanding victory that took only one hour and 23 minutes, Osaka wished that she’d savored her time on the court docket more. “I think, honestly, I could have had a better attitude,” she stated. “Like, I was just very stressed. It was the first round, and this tournament means a lot to me. I really wanted to win. I wish I thought more about, like, the process rather than the result, but I’m glad I was able to win.”
On the heels of a robust summer time highlighted by a runner-up end on the Canadian Open, Osaka got here out flying in opposition to Minnen at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The 27-year-old gained all three of the breakpoints she earned and recorded three aces within the first set whereas additionally making 5 much less unforced errors in comparison with her opponent.
Yet Osaka seemed to be urgent early on within the second set as her play took a noticeable dip. It wasn’t till she loosened up and began to loosen up that her efficiency improved. “Yeah, I mean, I think for me towards the end of the match I honestly wasn’t really focused on my play anymore,” Osaka stated.
“I was just focused on having a really consistent attitude and just putting balls in the court at a I guess higher speed. I feel like she was more aggressive than I anticipated. I don’t know. I was a little overwhelmed at times, but I just tried to make her keep playing one more shot.”
As for why she was so careworn to face Minnen, Osaka admitted that it typically takes her some time to ease into match play. Fortunately for the Japanese star, she didn’t should face any huge names proper out the gate because of the “protection” given by her No. 23 seed.
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“It’s funny. I was hitting with Muchova the other day, and I was, like, ‘Thank God I don’t have to play you in the first or second round,’” Osaka stated. “She was laughing about it too.
“But yeah, I mean, definitely you don’t want to play the big names early on. I think for me I’ve always been the type of person that kind of eases into it, but you have to earn that right, of course. Yeah, honestly, in any given day I’m not scared to play anyone. It’s just more I’d like to, I guess, get me feet wet first before diving in.”
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