In a clash between two former world No.1s, Karolina Pliskova mounting a remarkable comeback from a set down to secure a 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4 win over Naomi Osaka in the second round of the Brisbane International.
Despite Osaka’s strong start and a lead in the first set, Pliskova’s serve dominated the second set, winning an impressive 92 percent of first-service points, leading to a decisive tiebreak where she clinched the set.
The Czech player seized control in the final set, fending off Osaka’s break points and serving out the match at love to secure a hard-earned victory.
Pliskova, a three-time Brisbane champion (2017, 2019, and 2020), is currently riding a remarkable ten-match winning streak at the WTA 500 tournament. En route to the 2020 triumph in Brisbane, Pliskova also defeated Osaka, in an intense semifinal battle that lasted close to three hours.
For Osaka, this tournament marked her comeback after a break from the Hologic WTA Tour since September 2022, following the birth of her daughter in July 2023. Despite Wednesday’s loss, her performance in Brisbane showcased promise and marked a positive return to competitive tennis. Notably, in the opening round, she secured a victory against Tamara Korpatsch of Germany.
