In a high-stakes second-round clash at the Brisbane International on Wednesday, Karolina Pliskova delivered a reality check to Naomi Osaka, securing a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. Osaka, returning to tournament tennis after a 15-month hiatus to welcome a child, faced a formidable challenge from the former world number one Pliskova.
Osaka started strong, showcasing her prowess with five aces to claim the opening set in just 37 minutes against her opponent, who had received a bye through the first round. However, Pliskova found her rhythm in the second set, gradually tightening her grip on the match. Despite Osaka’s resilient serve helping her navigate through challenges until the tiebreak, Pliskova leveled the contest.
An early break in the deciding set allowed Pliskova to take the lead, and she showcased her defensive skills by saving three break points in the subsequent game to maintain her advantage over the 26-year-old Osaka. Pliskova’s exceptional serve proved pivotal as she secured the victory, advancing to the third round where she will face either Camila Giorgi or third seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Expressing her satisfaction with the win, Pliskova, a three-time Brisbane International champion (2017, 2019, 2020), highlighted the importance of starting the season on a positive note. She noted the significance of focus in a match, emphasizing that despite ample practice, the dynamics of a live game differ.
While Osaka faced a setback in her return, she demonstrated notable strengths, particularly with 14 aces during the match. The Japanese star will draw positives from the encounter as she prepares for her comeback to the Grand Slam arena at the upcoming Australian Open, a tournament she clinched in 2019 and 2021.
In other action on Wednesday in Brisbane, reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka is set to play her first WTA tour match of the year against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.
