Naomi Osaka Battles Past Ashleigh Barty at China Open 2019 Finals

The top-seed, Ashleigh Barty who saved a match-point in the semifinals of Beijing took on the fourth seed, Naomi Osaka in the championship match of China Open 2019. The Japanese star defeated the World Number one, Barty 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Beijing finals. 

This year after her Australian Open victory, Naomi Osaka won the title in her home-town, Osaka, Japan and with keeping her ten-match winning alive, she held her fifth career title at China Open 2019.

Set One:

The Australian made impeccable start by holding her serve to love. Barty survived her service game by saving a break point for a hold at 3-2 as she compelled Osaka to make mistakes. 

Opening ace!

A textbook winner from Naomi!

Naomi Osaka saved two break points to stay in the game, but her double faults and unforced errors persisted. Rotating her shoulder every now and then, the Japanese got broken at 4-2 by dumping the ball in the net. The Australian, Ashleigh Barty saved the break back point and led by 5-2 in the China Open championship match’s first set.

Later, Osaka made a hold to love but Barty closed out the set by serving to love at 6-3.

Halfway through Barty!

Set Two: 

The ladies made a firm start and a re-charged Osaka earned a chance to dominate the match. However, a magnificent backhand slice from Barty chopped off that opportunity.

During the changeover, Osaka’s father told her, “You have a problem out there that needs solving… if you stay calm you can work it out.” His advice boosted her morale.

An inside-out backhand from Osaka gave rise to a break point on Barty’s serve. With the Australian placing the ball just a centimeter outside the baseline, Naomi Osaka led by 4-2 in the second set.

The second set had the same course as the opening set but this time it was Osaka leading by 5-2. A smart challenge from Osaka on set point was implement. The return from Barty happened to be wide but it was called in, with claiming her challenge correct, the Japanese wrapped up the set 6-3.

Set Three: 

Naomi Osaka made a dream start in the third set of a championship match as she led a 2-0 against the Australian.

Barty had chances to level the match on Osaka’s serve, but her unforced errors withered away that comeback moment and the Japanese led by 3-1. Dominating Osaka was on her toes throughout the third set and knocked out the World Number one in China.