Osaka crashes out of Indian Wells after 'worst match ever played'

The four-time grand slam champion was beaten in straight sets by the Columbian, who triumphed 6-4 6-4 in just over an hour and a half on Wednesday.

Osaka defended two break points in the third game, having to fight hard to hold her serve, but could not maintain her level until the end, as she was broken in the penultimate game.

The pair traded the advantage at the start of the second, with Osaka getting her first break to level the scores early on.

However, a three-game winning streak for Osorio put her in control, and though she failed to convert her first match-point attempt, she successfully defended four break points in the final game to advance to the next round.

Osorio will face Clara Tauson next time out after earning her first main-draw win at Indian Wells, while Osaka missed the chance to play in a re-match of this year's Auckland final.

"Worst match I've ever played in my life," Osaka, who won her first WTA title at Indian Wells in 2018, said in a post on Threads.

"Wow, I'm so sorry to everyone who watched that."

Osorio Soars @CamiOsorioTenis knocks out Osaka 6-4, 6-4 to win her first match at Indian Wells!#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/zpYXeJ9iZq

— wta (@WTA) March 6, 2025

Though Osaka served four aces, she struggled to pick up points if she missed her first serve, earning just 14 of 36 points (39%) on her second serve. She saved five of eight break points but only converted one of six when she had the chance.

Osaka, playing for the first time since the Australian Open, has endured a rollercoaster start to 2025, reaching her first WTA final since 2022 before injuries disrupted her progress.

Speaking to reporters after her match, she was a little less critical of her performance but was left frustrated by aspects of it.

"Wow, I'm so sorry to everyone who watched that," she said.

"I don't think it was too good on my end. There were certain things that felt extremely off because I could only start to practice serving after a certain amount of time and stuff like that.