Australian Open 2020: Osaka ousts Zheng en route to third round
January 22, 2020 01:45 MYT
Defending champion Naomi Osaka sailed into the third round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Saisai Zheng.
In warm but breezy conditions in Melbourne, third seed Osaka defeated China's Zheng 6-2 6-4 on Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday.
Japanese star Osaka will next face either teenage sensation Coco Gauff or Sorana Cirstea at Melbourne Park.
Osaka made a strong start in front of a healthy Japanese contingent, breaking in the second game for a 2-0 lead, only to be broken back immediately after firing a forehand long.
Not a full house at Margaret Court Arena but still plenty of noise for defending #AusOpen champ Naomi Osaka @OmnisportNews pic.twitter.com/VGZCvEDRoa
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) January 22, 2020
Zheng managed to get back on serve, however, consecutive double faults handed the break back to Osaka, whose power and precision helped wrap up the set in 34 minutes.
Osaka fended off two break points in the opening game of the second set, but Zheng continued to have her chances on the two-time grand slam champion's serve.
What a point, @naomiosaka! The third seed is one game away from the first set, and leads Zheng 5-2. #AO2020 | #AusOpen | @channel9 | @espn pic.twitter.com/SdSBKSgnwg
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
Zheng, who also saved a break point to hold for 1-1, finally broke at the fifth time of asking as she moved ahead 2-1.
The disciplined approach from Zheng frustrated Osaka, who threw and kicked her racquet before claiming the break back instantly. The pair traded breaks as Osaka's unforced errors grew, until the latter composed herself to see out the match after one hour, 20 minutes.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
BREAK POINTS WON
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
TOTAL POINTS