MELBOURNE — Japan’s Naomi Osaka clubbed her way into the Australian Open second round by beating Poland’s Magda Linette 6-4 6-2 late on Tuesday.
It was Osaka’s first Grand Slam match since her breakthrough US Open triumph last year, which was partly overshadowed by a row between her final opponent Serena Williams and umpire Carlos Ramos.
Osaka’s heavy ball striking makes it very difficult for opponents to trade blows with her.
“For me, I’m aware of people saying anyone in the top 10 can be No. 1 right now — but for me, that’s not really my goal,” Osaka, the fourth seed, told reporters.
Linette tried to mitigate her rival’s power by standing up near the baseline during rallies to avoid getting pushed too far back.
The tactic worked in part, until the Polish player’s error count rose too quickly, such is the risk-reward for such a valiant ploy. “The balls were really heavy,” Linette told Reuters. “I’m just like 59 kilos, so what can I do?” Despite possessing more firepower in almost every facet of the game, Osaka’s modest-paced second serve allowed her 80th-ranked opponent a strong opening into baseline exchanges.
The two players’ average second serve speed was almost identical at around 125 kmh, which is significantly slower than the service speed of Williams, who is the standard bearer.
Osaka will play Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia in the second round.
FEDERER MADE TO WORK HARD
Holder Roger Federer was pushed to the limit early in his second round match by Dan Evans but the third seed held firm to seal a 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 6-3 victory over the Briton.
After edging the first two sets against a determined Evans, Federer got into the groove in the third set and broke for a 3-1 lead before closing out the win in two hours and 35 minutes.
CILIC BEATS MCDONALD
Marin Cilic overcame a mid-match blip by losing the second set but recovered to defeat unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald 7-5 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4. The Croatian set up a third round meeting with Fernando Verdasco or Radu Albot.
ANDERSON STUNNED BY TIAFOE
Fifth seed Kevin Anderson cruised through the opening set against Frances Tiafoe but lost his way thereafter, allowing the American youngster to seal a 4-6 6-4 6-4 7-5 upset victory.
BARTY TOO GOOD FOR WANG
Local favorite Ashleigh Barty continued her strong start to the tournament as she thumped China’s Wang Yafan 6-2 6-3 to move into the third round.
The 15th seed, who warmed up for the season’s first major by reaching the final of last week’s Sydney International, takes on Maria Sakkari in the third round after the Greek beat local qualifier Astra Sharma 6-1 6-4. — Reuters
