Naomi Osaka is hopeful that her stint with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou will develop into a long-term partnership after she eased into the second round of the China Open on Wednesday. This new collaboration comes after Osaka split with her previous coach, Wim Fissette, earlier this month, signaling a significant shift in her coaching strategy as she looks to regain her form.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has faced challenges since her return to the tour at the beginning of the season, following the birth of her daughter Shai last year. With her ranking currently sitting at 73, Osaka has expressed frustration over her progress, but her recent performance indicates a potential turnaround. In her opening match at the China Open in Beijing, she showcased her skills by defeating Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti with a commanding score of 6-3, 6-2, thereby progressing to the second round.
Reflecting on her partnership with Mouratoglou, Osaka noted the influence of his previous role as Serena Williams’ coach. She mentioned to the official WTA website, “I think the fact that he was Serena’s coach for me made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big.” This statement reveals her initial hesitation but also highlights her understanding of the potential benefits he could bring to her game.
Mouratoglou’s experience and impressive track record, having also worked with notable players such as Grigor Dimitrov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Simona Halep, and Holger Rune, reinforces the notion that Osaka is in capable hands. His expertise in nurturing talent and bringing out the best in players could be the pivotal element that revitalizes Osaka’s career.
In other matches during the China Open, Chinese wild card Zhang Shuai achieved a significant milestone by defeating American McCartney Kessler 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1), marking her first singles victory since January 2023 and breaking a difficult streak of 24 consecutive losses. Additionally, former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin demonstrated her capabilities by overcoming Ana Bogdan with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-2, showcasing her determination to regain form and confidence.
Meanwhile, in a parallel event at the Japan Open in Tokyo, US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper is set to take on Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci in a matchup of left-handed players, adding an intriguing dynamic to the tournament. The winner of this encounter will face second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the second round. Hurkacz recently secured a crucial victory against American Marcos Giron, winning 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, as he aims to solidify his position for the Nitto ATP Finals.
Draper has had a mixed season, including a disappointing Davis Cup campaign; however, shining moments persist as he has successfully advanced in the doubles event alongside Czech partner Tomas Machac. They fought hard in their first match, clinching a nail-biting victory against Alexander Erler and Matwe Middelkoop, finishing with scores of 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-8. This indicates that while the singles competition may be challenging, his partnership in doubles is proving fruitful and could reignite his confidence in singles matches as well.
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