An emotional Naomi Osaka battled back from the brink of defeat against Zhang Shuai to prevail 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, at the China Open.
The US Open champion encountered two issues on the court in Beijing. Besides taking on a resilient Zhang, the Japanese player struggled to control her emotions throughout the match. Crying during some of the changeovers and throwing her racket onto the ground. Even some motivational pep talks from her coach, Sascha Bajin, failed to uplift her mood on the court. The rocky display saw Osaka produced an total of 66 unforced errors to 51 winners, as she claimed just 36% behind her second serve.
“She’s such an incredible player and she’s really sweet. It was really hard to play against here here (in Beijing).” Osaka said about Zhang during her on-court interview.
On multiple occasions the frustrated world No.6 looked on the verge of suffering a shock loss. After dropping the opener, she quickly went down 2-0 in the second set before clawing her way back to level. Despite the visible tears on the court, Osaka secured a breakthrough at 4-4. Breaking for a chance to level the match with the help of a poor service game from her opponent. The US Open champion went on to clinch the second set with the help of a clear backhand cross-court winner.
Despite the change in fortunes, Osaka continued to struggle for consistency on the court against a fired up Zhang. Recovering from a 1-4 deficit in the decider, the eighth seed eventually battled back to draw level at 5-5. Capitalising on some tentative play from Zhang, which costed her dearly. Avoiding the upset, Osaka pulled through the roller-coaster encounter. Converting her second match point with the help of an ace down the line.
During their exchange at the net after the match, Osaka said she apologised to Zhang. Blaming her racket-smashing behaviour on stress.
“She said congratulations and basically I was sort of apologizing for my behaviour because I was kind of stressed.” She said.
Osaka is the first Japanese player to reach the semi-finals at the China Open. It is the 16th time this season she has come back from a set down to win the match. Raising her overall record for the year to 16-2. Osaka is also 41-0 when it comes to winning the opening set in matches played this season.
“I’m just thinking one match at a time. I know it can only get harder from here.” Osaka said ahead of the China Open semifinals.
In the next round, she will play either Dominika Cibulkova or Anastasija Sevastova.
