Wham-bam As Japan's Osaka Roars Into Tokyo Quarters

Wham-bam as Japan's Osaka roars into Tokyo quarters

Japan's Naomi Osaka pulverised Slovak Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-1 to reach the Pan Pacific Open quarter-finals on Wednesday in her first match since her historic US Open triumph.

Tokyo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2018 ) :Japan's Naomi Osaka pulverised Slovak Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-1 to reach the Pan Pacific Open quarter-finals on Wednesday in her first match since her historic US Open triumph.

The 20-year-old, who stunned Serena Williams to become Japan's first grand slam singles champion earlier this month, fired down 10 aces in a fearsome display of wham-bam tennis in Tokyo.

Osaka came out firing and ripped a fizzing forehand down the line on the first point, the third seed powering away to close out the first set with a pair of thundering aces.

A dazed Cibulkova had no answer to Osaka's firepower as the world number seven wrapped up a comfortable victory with a ferocious cross-court backhand after just 59 minutes.

"I didn't really feel any pressure," said Osaka, who reached the Tokyo final in 2016.

"It was really difficult because she's such a great player but I just thought it was more fun.

"My serve was really good," added Japan's latest sporting celebrity. "I'm just grateful to be able to play here again."Earlier, sixth seed Garbine Muguruza was upset by American qualifier Alison Riske 6-1, 6-2 in an abject performance from the Spanish former world number one, who looked a shadow of the player who captured the 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon titles.