Naomi Osaka has got off to a flying start this season. After a series of bad performances in the previous year, the Japanese player has been back on Australian soil as she wishes to defend her title at the upcoming Australian Open.
The 24-year-old player already has 4 grand slams to her name and she wishes to add more to her tally. She did not have the best of the 2021 year. Though she won the Australian Open, a series of disappointing performances at the US Open, Tokyo Olympics 2020, and Wimbledon ended her year.
She then said that she will return stronger in the Australian Open. Considering the form that she is in now, she is the top contender to lift the Australian Open for the second consecutive time.
Also read: Rafael Nadal Progresses Into the Last 8 of the Melbourne Summer Set: Will Now Face Tallon Griekspoor
Naomi Osaka is currently playing in the Melbourne Summer Set 2022. The Japanese player is hoping to make a good run in the tournament which will eventually boost her confidence going into the Australian Open. She recently faced Maryna Zanevska whom she defeated 6-1, 6-1. She played very confidently which ultimately reflected the scoreline.
With a win, she has now secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament. In the quarters, she is all set to face Andrea Petkovic in an exciting clash. The two players have met each other on two different occasions earlier. The head-to-head stats stand at 1 apiece. The latest encounter between the players was back in 2019 when Naomi Osaka won it pretty comfortably.
Andrea Petkovic beat Clara Burel 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals after a tough battle. The German’s career appears to be on the rise once more. In 2021, she won the Cluj-Napoca Open for the first time in almost six years.
Picking up right where she left off ????????
???????? @naomiosaka defeats Maryna Zanevska 6-1 6-1 in Melbourne.#MelbourneTennis pic.twitter.com/H5Yn18o6Xt
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 6, 2022
Naomi Osaka will be the favorite to win the competition. Petkovic struggled in her encounter against Burel, despite the Japanese showing indications of improvement in her previous game. In that encounter, the German only won 52 percent of her first-serve points. A repeat performance against the previous World No. 1 will be insufficient.
We expect Naomi Osaka to display another stunning performance and win the match in 2 straight sets. If she manages to win, she will advance into the semi-finals of the tournament.
