Naomi Osaka’s bid to become the first woman since 2015 to win three consecutive grand slam titles has come to an end after she suffered a shock 6-4, 6-2, loss to Katerina Siniakova in the third round of the French Open.
Siniakova, who is the world No.1 in doubles, produced a gutsy display against the Japanese player. Matching her shot-by-shot and placing the pressure directly onto an erratic Osaka. During the match, she saved all seven break points she faced and hit 12 winners past her opponent. Furthermore, Siniakova only produced 13 unforced errors, which was almost three times less than Osaka’s tally of 38.
“It’s incredible, it’s amazing, it’s definitely something I can’t believe. I’m just so happy now.” Siniakova said during her on-court interview afterwards.
“For sure, it was my best tennis. I hope that it will continue (in the tournament). Paris is beautiful and I like coming back here.”
41 places separate the two players in the world rankings, but on the court at Roland Garros it was a different matter. Osaka’s powerful shot-making watch matched by Siniakova, who is never afraid of expressing her emotions during matches. Eight games went by before the Czech turned the tides in her own favour. After failing to convert two break points at 4-4, she prevailed on her third attempt with the help of an Osaka forehand drifting wide. Serving for the first set lead was far from simple for Siniakova, who was forced to save four break points of her own in the following game. Nevertheless, after 44 minutes of play she secured the surprise lead after another mistake from across the court.
Osaka falling behind in matches has been a common theme in this year’s tournament. In her two previous rounds, the world No.1 rallied from a set down to defeat Anna Karolína Schmiedlová and Victoria Azarenka. However, this time round she failed to conjure up that fighting spirit as she hit a series of unforced errors throughout set number two.
Siniakova continued to draw blood from her rapidly faltering rival. Three consecutive Osaka errors enabled the Czech to break once again to have a 6-2, 3-2, stronghold on the match. The horror story continued for the 21-year-old as she failed to find a range in her shots on the court. A double fault gifted Siniakova another break and this time the opportunity to serve for the biggest win of her career.
Closing the match out, Siniakova achieved the upset with the help of Osaka’s 38th unforced error on match point. Recording her first ever win over a world No.1 player and progressing to the fourth round of the tournament for the first time.
Despite her loss, Osaka will maintain her world No.1 ranking after the conclusion of the French Open.
