Naomi Osaka is feeling the heat on the court right now. The 4-time Grand Slam Winner has had a relatively underwhelming 2022 season. Caroline Wozniacki even gave her opponent an edge in a possible 2nd round meeting at the time of draw. But Naomi overcame the hurdle and reacted in a post-game interview.
It’s not just Wozniacki, but some of the fans even booed her like one in Indian Wells. The player is feeling the heat but determined to prove doubters wrong.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 24, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) serves against Angelique Kerber (GER) (not pictured) in a second round women’s singles match in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Caroline Wozniacki?s prediction and Naomi Osaka?s performance
Former World no. 1 and now retired from professional tennis, Caroline Wozniacki?is working with The Tennis Channel now. She is one of the commentators and Tennis experts for the channel. On the day of draws, Caroline was asked for her predictions on WTA groups.
Caroline looking at the draw, predicted Kerber to advance for her pool, which included?Naomi Osaka. Osaka would have played Kerber after her 1st round win, and as per Caroline?s prediction, Kerber would have advanced further defeating unseeded Naomi.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 12, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) wipes her face as she talks to referee Claire Wood after a spectator disrupted play, yelling ?Naomi you suck,? before the start of her 2nd round match against Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) at the BNP Paribas open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Considering current form and Naomi?s distress, Wozniacki might have chosen the German star over Osaka. But determined World no. 77 played her best and gave Kerber no chance to win the encounter. She?defeated?Angelique Kerber?in straight sets.
Naomi Osaka gave her reaction over the prediction
In the post-game interview, Naomi gave her thoughts over prediction. She said, ?I feel like if I give her an opportunity she would crawl her way back. But weirdly enough I was watching the Tennis Channel other day?
She recalled her memory of that night. ?Then I think Caroline Wozniacki was commentating, and they were like, Oh, so who do you think is going to make it out of this section? She is like I think Kerber and Fernandez are going to play each other.?
Naomi Osaka took it personally when Wozniacki predicted Kerber to progress from her quarter 😂
"I don't really say I had like a vendetta, but I was like, Hmm, I know I was kind of underachieving these last couple of months, but I still feel like I'm a pretty good player." pic.twitter.com/QlzpPk7mIa
— Musab (@Musab_Abid) March 24, 2022
It gave Naomi the hint that she won?t be in consideration for the title. Also, Naomi found that she will be playing Kerber in 2nd round.
On the actual game day, Naomi was determined to prove the Danish star?s prediction wrong. And it was Naomi, who had the final laugh. Naomi cleared any negative thoughts in her mind for Caroline but took the ?underachiever? label as a motivational point.
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Naomi will face Karolina Munchova in 3rd round, after?defeating?Wozniacki?s second choice player Fernandez in 2nd round.
Written by
Edited by
Deepakshi Chaudhary