Osaka: The unbeaten streak ends

Its the Czech Republican, Karolina Pliskova who ended the winning streak of Naomi Osaka in her home country declares herself to be the champion of Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Pliskova went on to achieve what ten other WTA women couldn’t do it over the past one month: defeat Osaka in a tennis match. The Czech took just 63 minutes to defeat the reigning US Open champion in the final in Tokyo. Osaka’s achievement in New York resonated her entire nation and Pliskova’s 6-4, 6-4 win over the Japanese turned around the tables.

The Japanese tennis sensation did not lose a set prior to her final in Tokyo. However, the outcome of the match shuddered her. The ladies were clinging on to their serves in the opening set. Later, Pliskova initiated to break Osaka’s serve later in the opening set. 

The cheerful audience at Tachikawa Arena were rooting for Osaka, despite that she was unable to make a comeback. Frustrated Osaka couldn’t improve the situation in the second set. She double-faulted in the ninth game and which presented a break to Pliskova in the second set. In 2016 Osaka had lost in the final to Caroline Wozniacki. She was this year’s top-seeded player. Wozniacki was eliminated by Camila Giorgi in the second round of the tournament. Pliskova broke Osaka’s serve for the second time to receive a 5-4 lead in the second set and then pummelled her sixth ace of the match to seize the 11th career title.

“I was just happy it didn’t go to a third set,” Pliskova said. “Naomi was playing so good all tournament but I think she was a little bit tired today. My serve is my biggest weapon and it was key today,” added Pliskova. ”Naomi was maybe a little bit tired, you could see that. But the future is bright for her and congrats to her for an incredible few weeks.”The Tokyo crown is Plisova’s first title victory after her wedding to her long-time partner Michal Hrdlicka. “I’m just happy that I also have a title as a married woman,” she said.

The tearful Osaka could hardly speak to the reporters “I’ve literally never felt more tired in my entire life. The chances of me playing in the next tournament are very low.”