Osaka saves three set points to beat Paolini in Tokyo
Naomi Osaka returned to the Toray Pan Pacific Open with a 6–3, 7–6 victory over Jasmine Paolini. The seventh seed survived three consecutive set points before taking the second-set tiebreak 7–4. Her first appearance at the tournament in four years sets up a second-round meeting with Slovak wild card Mia Pohankova. She will be Pohankova’s first top-20 opponent.
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Three set points fail to stop Osaka
Naomi Osaka beat Jasmine Paolini 6–3, 7–6 in the first round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, the women’s tennis tournament in Tokyo. The seventh seed won the second-set tiebreak 7–4 after saving three consecutive set points. Associated Press also confirmed the straight-sets victory in its dispatch hosted by Yahoo Sports. It put Osaka into the second round on her return to the tournament after four years.[1], [2]
Paolini had earned those set points while leading 6–5 in the second set. Osaka survived the service game and forced the tiebreak, where a Paolini forehand error left the Italian trailing 5–3. That was the only point won against serve in the tiebreak. Osaka then completed the victory without having to play a deciding set, despite Paolini’s chances to level the match.[1]
Paolini recovers twice before Osaka closes
Osaka began the opening set with a 3–0 lead. Paolini recovered to 3–3 and held a break point that would have put her 4–3 ahead. Her forehand went long, however, and Osaka held serve. Down-the-line winners in the following game helped the Japanese player recover control and take the set. She also broke serve first in the second set to move ahead.[1]
Paolini broke back immediately. After moving ahead 4–3, she received treatment on her left foot, but the contest continued through her later set-point opportunities. Osaka’s successful hold at 6–5 kept the match in two sets. The Italian’s recoveries in both sets had erased early Osaka advantages before the Japanese player won the important closing passages.[1]
Pohankova awaits after a four-year tournament gap
Osaka next faces Slovak wild card Mia Pohankova, aged 18 and ranked 144th. Pohankova beat 19-year-old qualifier Tereza Valentova 6–1, 6–4 in 70 minutes and will meet a top-20 opponent for the first time. Osaka was runner-up in Tokyo in 2018 and won this tournament in 2019 when it was staged in Osaka. Her 2022 appearance lasted one game before Daria Saville retired injured; Osaka withdrew ill before the next round.[1]
