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Osaka made to work in win over Doi at US Open
NEW YORK, Sept 1, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Fourth seed Naomi Osaka advanced to the
second round of the US Open on Monday but was made to work hard during a 6-2, 5
-7, 6-2 victory over Japanese compatriot Misaki Doi at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka, who withdrew from the Western & Southern Open WTA final on Saturday due
to a hamstring injury, showed little sign of a fitness problem after wrapping up
the first set in just over half an hour.
But the 22-year-old 2018 Open champion’s composure deserted her in the second
set, as a string of unforced errors crept into her game and allowed Doi to seize
the initiative.
Doi raced into leads of 3-0 and 4-1 but tightened when serving for the set at 5
-3 — allowing Osaka to break back and get back on serve.
However the 29-year-old Doi regrouped to hold serve for a 6-5 lead and then
punished a sloppy service game from Osaka to break once again and square the
match.
Osaka raised her game noticeably in the third set, cutting down the errors and
putting Doi under pressure on her service.
Two breaks helped Osaka into a 5-2 lead and she held serve to close out the win.
Osaka had walked onto court wearing a face mask emblazoned with the name of
Breonna Taylor, the African-American nurse who was shot by police in her
apartment in Kentucky in March.
Taylor’s death has become one of the most prominent cases during the summer of
nationwide protests across the United States against racism and police
brutality.
Osaka says she plans to wear face masks bearing the names of other victims of
racial injustice throughout the tournament.
“I have seven and it’s quite sad that seven is not enough for the amount of
names,” Osaka said.
“Hopefully I’ll get to the finals and you’ll see all of them.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/1124 hrs