Naomi Osaka says she trusts Patrick Mouratoglou and credits his mid-match advice for a win that sealed her first WTA quarterfinal ticket since June.
After starting her season with a straight-set win over Lina Glushko, the former world No. 1 also saw off Julia Grabher 7-5 6-4 in the Auckland round-of-16.
Although Osaka was the heavy favorite against the world No. 470, it turned out to be a tricky matchup and the Austrian even had some break points late in the first set – which could have landed her the opener.
But Mouratoglou – who worked with Serena Williams for a decade – noticed what needed to be adjusted.
And when his message got to the Japanese, she settled and went on to get the job done in two sets.
Osaka on Mouratoglou: I trust him a lot
“I think for me it’s about trust. I don’t really talk too much when I first meet a person, but obviously as the weeks and the days and the matches go by, we talk more and more and we build a better relationship,” the 27-year-old said.
“So during the, not changeover, but during the little rain delay, he just had two points for me that were very clear, and I was really grateful for that, because it wasn’t like he gave me a whole spiel on what to do. I definitely do trust him a lot.”
