Former world number one Naomi Osaka defeated Swiss Belinda Bencic on Thursday and will fight for the title of the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami, in her first final in more than a year.
The Japanese Osaka defeated Bencic, gold medalist at the Tokyo-2020 Games, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and will be the finalist with the lowest position in the WTA ranking (77) in the history of this prestigious tournament.
Winner of four Grand Slam titles, Osaka tennis is making a comeback in Miami after a last season complicated by her mental health problems, which temporarily sidelined her late last year.
This month Osaka experienced a tough episode again during her second match in Indian Wells (California), also in the WTA 1000 category, when she broke down in tears in the middle of the match after receiving an insult from the stands.
This Thursday, after qualifying for her first final since the Australian Open in 2021, Osaka sat in her chair covering her face with a towel with tears this time from emotion.
“I just want to thank everyone. The atmosphere was really good,” Osaka told the spectators after the match.
“Damn, I’m always crying, but this tournament means a lot to me,” he thanked.
Following the Indian Wells incident, Osaka has reacted strongly in Miami, where she competes by invitation. (D)
The Japanese, who will make the jump to at least 36th place in the WTA, reached the semifinals without dropping a single set along the way and this Thursday she was able to come back against Bencic.
Osaka was devastating on serve, hitting 18 aces, against a rival who had beaten her in three of their four previous matches.
In the final on Saturday, Osaka will fight for her first title in Miami against the winner of the match between Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the next world number one, and American Jessica Pegula. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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