Osaka resists for 40 minutes, then collapses against Collins. Worrying?
Naomi Osaka is still far from being back to her best. Back on the WTA Tour after an absence of over a year, during which she gave birth to her first child, the former world No.1 is struggling to revive her flamboyant tennis since the start of the season. She has just suffered her 3rd consecutive defeat, beaten by Danielle Collins in the first round in Abu Dhabi.
Initially solid on serve against the American, Osaka held her own for the first 40 minutes. The time for her to concede her first break at 5/5 in the first set. She then progressively broke down completely.
Collins had to be solid on the next game to hold her serve and win the first set, but she then went on to win the last 8 games of the match. On the other side of the court, the Japanese didn't really concerned during the last minutes of the match.
Abu Dhabi
Piala Davis: antara reformasi, kritik, dan budaya nasional
Saat bintang tenis berganti lapangan: dari Noah sang penyanyi hingga Safin sang deputi, pertandingan lain bernama transisi karier
Laboratorium tenis masa depan, apakah Masters Next Gen masih punya masa depan?
Tenis: fakta tak terduga tentang intersaison, antara istirahat, stres dan bertahan secara fisik