The four-time Grand Slam champion shakes off a slow start to secure her first win since the Australian Open. Image: BBC Sport.
(The Post News)– Naomi Osaka fought back from a set down to defeat Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Miami Open’s first round. This marks her first victory since the Australian Open, where she retired due to injury.
After a disappointing first-round exit at Indian Wells, where she called her performance one of her worst—Osaka adjusted her strategy. She focused on movement instead of power, determined to chase down every ball if necessary.
Despite a slow start, she turned the match around with 10 aces and solid baseline play. Starodubtseva led 5-0 in the first set and 4-2 in the second, but Osaka battled back to take control.
Now aiming for her first Miami Open title, after finishing runner-up in 2022, Osaka faces 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova next. The 27-year-old Russian is still regaining form after a 15-month break following the birth of her daughter.
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