(Miami) Naomi Osaka, 77and world, dominated Monday Alison Riske (50and) 6-3, 6-4, thus qualifying for the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 in Miami, like last year.
Posted yesterday at 4:12 p.m.
To try to climb into the last four, the Japanese will face another American, Danielle Collins (11and), finalist of the last Australian Open and who eliminated the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (10and) 6-2, 6-4.
After obviously dealing with moments of frustration against Riske, the player who had been plagued with psychological problems for months concluded the game and let a big smile light up her face.
“Last year too I went to the quarters, but I didn’t feel well. This time, I live funny moments in my life, ”commented the ex-N. 1 worldwide.
The start of the match suggested that she was going to have to fight a long fight, she who had benefited from the package of the Czech Karolina Muchova, victim of abdominal pain, to reach the 8are of final.
After a very long first game on her serve (10 minutes), won on her third opportunity with an ace not without saving 4 break points, the Japanese quickly broke away 3-0.
She then had 5 set points on Riske’s serve, but the American won her face-off to come back at 5-3 and force her opponent to serve to win the set. Which was just a formality.
In the second run, Riske quickly made the break, but could not confirm his advantage. And Osaka regained control of the game by winning four games in a row. After missing a first match point on her opponent’s serve, the Japanese, four times Grand Slam titleholder, won on her face-off.
Plagued by recurring anxiety problems, she tries to find her highest level, as much as pleasure on the court.
Osaka revealed that she “started working with a therapist”, after wiping away a few tears ten days ago in Indian Wells where a spectator shouted “Naomi, you suck”.