Japan’s Naomi Osaka celebrates after profitable throughout her second spherical match towards Romania’s Sorana Cirstea REUTERS
MELBOURNE:
Naomi Osaka pared down her show-stopping jellyfish-inspired outfit and overcame a second-set wobble to beat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-3 4-6 6-2 within the second spherical of the Australian Open on Thursday.
In her first-round win over Antonia Ruzic this week, Osaka walked onto the court docket carrying a white parasol and carrying a veil and broad-brimmed hat.
The outfit, which additionally featured a marine-themed prime full with pastel yellow tassels on the sleeves, made waves on the season’s opening Grand Slam, with prime males’s and girls’s gamers commending the daring trend alternative.
Requested if she had anticipated the response to her outfit, Osaka stated: “Actually, probably not.
“For me, it is simply one thing enjoyable I like to do on the court docket. I do not actually speak that a lot however I like to precise myself by way of garments.”
The four-times Grand Slam champion’s entrance on Thursday was tame by comparability as she ditched the equipment, although followers on the Margaret Court docket Area made up for it by carrying replicas of the hat and veil.
“I am actually glad that you simply guys liked it. You guys look actually cool by the way in which,” Osaka stated to the followers.
“I grew up with Serena and Venus (Williams), (Maria) Sharapova, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and for me it is an incredible honour if there is a child on the market someplace that comes and performs this event and remembers me in a approach.”
Osaka, who gained the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, made a shaky begin towards Cirstea, dropping the opening sport on her serve and committing early errors.
She quickly shook off the cobwebs and broke to stage at 2-2, earlier than breaking once more for a 5-3 lead after which defending a break level to carry serve and take the opening set.
The 35-year-old Cirstea, who will retire on the finish of the 12 months, once more took an early lead within the second set and although Osaka levelled at 2-2, the Romanian broke in a decisive second to pressure a closing set.
Osaka, the sixteenth seed, took a break between units after which one other medical timeout whereas main 3-1 within the decider, however any concern was short-lived.
Along with her motion seemingly hampered, the Japanese former world primary responded by dialling up the depth of her floor strokes and overwhelming Cirstea to seal the win.
The ultimate set was additionally tinged with some drama as Cirstea took concern with Osaka pumping herself up by shouting “come on” between the Romanian’s first and second serves.
“(There have been) apparently quite a lot of ‘come ons’ that she was indignant about. I imply I attempted to play nicely. I feel I hit quite a lot of unforced errors however I attempted my greatest,” Osaka stated.
“She’s an incredible participant. I feel this was her final Australian Open, so sorry she was mad about it.”
Osaka faces Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis within the third spherical.
