Naomi Osaka is one win away from reaching the Cincinnati main draw after overcoming Anna Blinkova 6-2 2-6 6-2 in her qualifying opener at the American hard-court WTA 1000 tournament.
On Sunday, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka made her first qualifying appearance since 2018. And after a very strong start, Osaka’s level suddenly dropped but she managed to regain it and ultimately seal a qualifying final-round meeting versus 82nd-ranked Ashlyn Krueger.
In case you haven’t read or heard, Osaka found out that her luggage and rackets were lost when she landed in Cincinnati. But after taking to X, the former world No. 1 was able to locate with the help of United Airlines and didn’t have to withdraw from Cincinnati.
How Osaka beat Blinkova?
Osaka made a lightning start to the match, winning the first five games before earning her third break of the set in the eighth game to seal the opener.
But after easily winning the first set, the Japanese former world No. 1 lost her serve twice in the second set and didn’t get any breaks as Blinkova forced a decider.
Early in the third set, Osaka blew a break. However, she didn’t panic and still completed a three-set win after breaking Blinkova in the sixth and eighth…
