Wham-bam As Japan's Naomi Osaka Blazes Into Tokyo Quarters
Muhammad Rameez Published September 19, 2018 | 08:52 PM
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 earlier this month stunned Serena Williams to become Japan's first grand slam singles champion, fired down 10 aces in a fearsome display of wham-bam tennis in Tokyo.
Third seed Osaka came out with guns blazing and ripped a fizzing forehand down the line on the first point, racing away to close out the first set with a pair of thundering aces.
A dazed Cibulkova, the 2014 Australian Open runner-up, 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 -- I felt it was more fun," said Osaka, who reached the Tokyo final in 2016.
"I'm not really thinking about winning the US Open," added Japan's latest sporting celebrity, who has a Japanese mother and a Haitian father and was raised in the United States.
"I'm not sure what will happen when things calm down. But (today) as a whole I played at maybe 80 percent -- I never know the limit of what level I can go to.
" 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.
Riske advances to face fourth seed Karolina Pliskova, another player to have previously held the women's top ranking.
The Czech recovered from a set down to beat Australia's Daria Gavrilova 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and avenge her opponent's defeat of twin sister Kristyna earlier this week.
But she made hard work of it, trashing a racquet in frustration as she slipped behind 4-1 in the deciding set before clawing her way back.
"The first set was in my hands but I made some stupid mistakes," said Pliskova, who ended Gavrilova's resistance with a clever drop volley after two hours and 21 minutes.
"I tried to stay positive and even though I broke my racquet I tried to keep fighting, because you always have a chance."Second seed Caroline Garcia flirted with an early exit as the Frenchwoman overcame Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 to reach the last eight of the prestigious Tokyo event, whose list of former champions includes Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Kimiko date and Martina Hingis.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
U.S. envoy calls on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
Poland arrests man over suspected plan to kill Zelensky
EU wants to ease youth movement to and from UK
Police foils attempt of supply mainpuri raw material
More Stories From Sports
-
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
6 hours ago -
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
6 hours ago -
Former England Test batsman Raman Subba Row dies aged 92
9 hours ago -
Rybakina beats Kudermetova to reach last eight in Stuttgart
9 hours ago -
Arsenal paid for 'big mistake' in Bayern defeat: Arteta
11 hours ago -
Matthews leads West Indies women to convincing victory over Pakistan in series opener
11 hours ago
-
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
14 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
12 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
15 hours ago -
Azam experiences discomfort during Wednesday's training session
12 hours ago -
Azam Khan likely to miss T20I series against Kiwis due to discomfort in right knee
15 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
16 hours ago