Naomi Osaka snaps 22-match streak as China Open resurgence continues
Naomi Osaka rallied from a set down to defeat Yulia Putintseva at the China Open on Friday – her first ‘comeback’ win in well over two years.
Heading into Friday’s second round clash, Osaka had not won a match from a set down since a semi-final victory over Belinda Bencic at the Miami Open in 2022, losing 22 straight matches when losing the first set since then.
The former world No 1 had impressed with an opening victory over Lucia Bronzetti in Beijing but had not won back-to-back matches since June, and dropped the opener against 21st seed Putintseva.
But Osaka managed to battle back thanks to a composed display, triumphing 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to keep her campaign alive in the Chinese capital.
“I just told myself to keep going,” said the Japanese in her post-match interview.
“I travelled all the way here and it would be a little injustice to myself to not try as hard as I can. I just tried to dig deep.
“[I have] absolutely zero expectations – I think I’m playing just one match at a time. I’m really grateful to be here and I hope that I’m able to win a lot more matches.”
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Osaka next faces an intriguing third round contest against American star Katie Volynets, who shocked 14th seed Marta Kostyuk to reach this stage – downing the Ukrainian in straight sets.
Back-to-back match wins for Osaka starts her new coaching partnership with Patrick Mouratglou successfully, and she will hope to push on further over the coming week.
The 26-year-old was the champion at this tournament five years ago and remains the only former champion left in the draw, with reigning champion Iga Swiatek pulling out pre-tournament.
Osaka is 73rd in the WTA Rankings but is up 11 places to 62nd in the Live Rankings following her opening two victories in Beijing, and could yet climb even further.
Victory over Volynets would push the Japanese back up into the top 60 of the Live Rankings, with a return to the top 30 possible with a run to the title.
She has not won a title since her triumph at the 2021 Australian Open and has not reached a final since the 2022 Miami Open.
Her China Open victory in 2019 – where she beat Ashleigh Barty in the final – remains the last non-Grand Slam tournament that she won.
