NEWS:Karolina Pliskova stops Naomi Osaka’s comeback in a fantastic match in Brisbane.
Pliskova stopped Osaka’s comeback from maternity leave by coming back from a set down and hitting a stunning 16 aces to win the match between the two former world No. 1s.
In a contest between two comeback youngsters, Karolina Pliskova prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to win her tenth straight match at the Brisbane International. Pliskova rallied from a set down to deny Naomi Osaka her comeback match.
After a two-hour and fourteen-minute battle on Pat Rafter Arena, Pliskova overcame the four-time Grand Slam champion with a vintage serving display, despite Osaka putting on another impressive display in just her second match in sixteen months.
After the match, Pliskova remarked on the court, “I like these conditions and I like to be back in Brisbane after a couple of years.” “I’m glad I had a successful start here. I typically perform well in bouts. As always, the beginning of the season holds great significance. The most recent match with Naomi lasted for more over three hours. I felt that I performed fairly well; still much room for improvement, but a solid beginning.”
Paradoxically, Osaka and Pliskova’s final match took place in Brisbane in 2020—the final edition of the competition before the COVID-19 epidemic forced its postponement for three years. Pliskova overcame Osaka in that match by coming back from a set down to win the title, and the former world No. 1 was expected to do the same on Wednesday when Osaka similarly dominated the opening set.
Osaka, who had just won her first match since quitting the tour in 2022 to give birth to her daughter Shai, opened the match with a bang, hitting five aces and thirteen winners to get herself within a shot of the third round.
Pliskova was also making her way back to Brisbane following a layoff, having chosen to
“I’ve done this sport for many, many years, so I’m happy to be back,” Pliskova said. “I did some good training for a couple of months, so I think I’m in good shape!”
Rising to the occasion, she overcame a 40-40 behind early in the second set to maintain parity in the match. In the subsequent tiebreaker, she outplayed Osaka to seal a one-set draw.
In the final, Pliskova, ranked No. 16 in Brisbane, got out to a quick start. She broke Osaka’s service with a drop shot and swept to the net behind a forceful forehand, saving two more break points to keep her advantage and come within two games of winning.
The four-time WTA Ace Leader thundered down her 15th ace of the match to save her 10th break point, and Osaka looked helpless to equal the score. Pliskova held for 5-3 with her 16th ace arriving on the way.
“Of course, we haven’t played for a while, and you can practice as much as you want, but matches are always just a little bit different,” Pliskova stated. “I felt like the one game where I lost a bit of focus on my serve, but I really wanted to win so I didn’t have to stay on court too much longer.”
When it came time to serve to win the match, Pliskova glided across the finish line with a hold to love, displaying no signs of nervousness.
Pliskova and Osaka played a superb match that ended with just one point separating them, 101 to 100. There were 87 wins overall in the match, compared to just 36 unforced errors. After hitting 14 aces of her own, Osaka will have a lot to build on. However, she will look to enhance her performance during crucial moments, as she only converted two of her 12 break opportunities that day.