In a surprising turn of events at the Abu Dhabi Open, Danielle Collins played the role of spoiler once again by defeating Naomi Osaka in the second round. Osaka, who is making a comeback after becoming a mother last year, faced challenges with her movement during the match. Despite her strong serve, the lack of agility limited her options on the court.
The opening set saw both players performing well on their second serves, leading to a closely contested back-and-forth battle. However, Collins managed to secure the last two games, winning the set 7-5. The second set proved to be a downfall for Osaka, as she struggled to mount a response, falling behind 3-0. Although she attempted a comeback, she couldn’t convert her opportunities, allowing Collins to maintain a commanding 4-0 lead. This ultimately sealed Osaka’s fate, as Collins dominated the set, winning it 6-0 to claim victory.
Osaka’s journey in the Abu Dhabi Open has been challenging, with tough opponents such as Karolina Pliskova and Caroline Garcia. Unlike some other returning players, Osaka has not had the luxury of facing easy opponents due to wildcards. In contrast, rising star Emma Raducanu has demonstrated an impressive level of play in the tournament.
For Osaka, her focus will now shift to the doubles competition, where she will team up with Ons Jabeur. Their next match awaits against a British opponent, and Osaka looks forward to progressing further in her comeback journey in the Middle East.