13.1 C
Manchester
Monday, September 15, 2025
Other SportsNaomi Osaka having 'so much fun' at Miami Open ahead of next...

Naomi Osaka having ‘so much fun’ at Miami Open ahead of next match against ‘work buddy’ Garcia

Four-time Grand Slam title winner Naomi Osaka said her win over 15th seed Elina Svitolina to reach the last 32 of the Miami Open was “one of” her best performances of the year after bridging a 212-place ranking gap to beat the Ukrainian.

Japanese wildcard Osaka ended the first set with a double break before edging the second for a 6-2, 7-6 victory, later telling her millions of Instagram followers that she had “so much fun”.

“I knew she’s a great player and I had no choice but to play really well if I wanted a chance to win,” Osaka reflected to reporters.

“I definitely do think it was one of my best matches, if not the best [of 2024). But I also want myself to play better and better every match.”

Read our other sports news stories here:
Cancelo calls Man City ‘ungrateful’
Verstappen reacts to Australian Grand Prix retirement
England: Kane to miss Belgium friendly, Man City defender Walker to be assessed

Osaka returned from maternity leave at the start of the year, losing to her third-round opponent in Miami, Caroline Garcia, in the first round of the Australian Open.

The 26-year-old produced some sublime shots against world number 17 Svitolina in a match delayed until Saturday by rain and played on a relatively small court.

Osaka v Garcia next

Garcia and Osaka met again in Doha, where the former world number one gained revenge with a 7-5, 6-4 win.

“We’re friends at this point,” said Osaka, joking about the frequency with which the pair face each other. “We’re just work buddies.

“We see each other all the time. It’s funny. I just want to be seeded so that I can stop playing her. She’s an amazing player, I know this.

“Every match we play is really difficult. It’s going to be interesting playing on these hard courts, because I really like them.”

Elsewhere in Florida, top-10 players Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, Zheng Qinwen and Jelena Ostapenko all went out of the tournament on Saturday, but top-ranked Iga Swiatek went through.

In the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2, 6-1 against compatriot Roberto Carballes Baena to join the likes of Jannik Sinner and Andy Murray in progressing.

Latest

Choosing reliable vehicle financing for families in Manchester

When it comes to securing vehicle financing for your family, reliability is essential. Families need to consider the long-term impact of their financial decisions,...

Appy Pie Unveils Snappy 2.5: A Faster, Smarter Website Builder Designed Around User Feedback

Appy Pie has introduced Snappy 2.5, the latest upgrade to its website builder, developed in direct response to long-standing user feedback. This release focuses...

FREESMO Leads the Way with Smarter Smoke-Free Choices Through Trusted Questionnaire

As the smoke-free sector continues to grow and diversify, FREESMO is highlighting the importance of its Smoke-Free Questionnaire – a tried and tested tool...

Growing green: Smart strategies for sustainable business growth

In today’s competitive landscape, growth isn’t just about scaling quickly, it’s about doing so responsibly. Customers, investors, and even employees are increasingly drawn to businesses...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

Growing green: Smart strategies for sustainable business growth

In today’s competitive landscape, growth isn’t just about scaling quickly, it’s about doing so responsibly. Customers, investors, and even employees are increasingly drawn to businesses...

Top tips for retailers in Manchester to boost sales and stay ahead in fashion accessories

As the fashion accessory market in Manchester grows increasingly competitive, local retailers face the challenge of both capturing customer attention and delivering unique value. Whether...

Local dealership’s reputation for excellence drives remarkable customer loyalty in competitive automotive market

In Manchester's bustling automotive sector, building genuine customer trust has become the ultimate differentiator. While many dealerships compete on price alone, one local Mercedes...

FREESMO Leads the Way with Smarter Smoke-Free Choices Through Trusted Questionnaire

As the smoke-free sector continues to grow and diversify, FREESMO is highlighting the importance of its Smoke-Free Questionnaire – a tried and tested tool...

More News

Sale Sharks signs new wellbeing partner

Sale Sharks are delighted to announce Altius Healthcare as the club’s new official health and wellbeing partner.  With six clinics based around Greater Manchester, Altius’s...

Joe Fraser Gymnastics Club Arrives in Lichfield, Powered by LoveAdmin’s Tech

Olympic gymnast Joe Fraser is launching an exciting new gymnastics club in Lichfield, supported by technology partner LoveAdmin. The Joe Fraser Gymnastics Club is...

Sharks announce Ashton on Mersey School partnership 

Sale Sharks have announced an exciting new partnership with Ashton on Mersey School’s Sixth Form, aimed at giving students the unique opportunity to pursue...