Former champion Naomi Osaka survived three set points to edge past Jasmine Paolini and move on in Tokyo.
Key points
- Osaka demonstrated resilience by saving three set points and winning in straight sets.
- The victory sets up a second‑round clash with Mia Pohankova for a quarterfinal berth.
- Paolini's run ends in the opening round despite a competitive performance.
Naomi Osaka, a former champion and the No. 7 seed, saved three set points late in the second set before beating Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6‑3, 7‑6 at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
The match shifted when Osaka, trailing in the closing games of the second set, fended off three consecutive set points, then held serve to force a tiebreak, where she clinched the set and the match.
Osaka's comeback in the second set
With the win, Osaka advances to the tournament's second round and will meet Czech qualifier Mia Pohankova for a spot in the last eight.
Osaka's ability to overturn a critical moment highlights her experience in high‑pressure situations, a trait that could prove decisive as the event progresses.
Implications for the quarterfinals
The result keeps Osaka among the top contenders in the draw, while Paolini exits the tournament after a closely contested encounter.
Reader questions
What tournament is this match part of?
The match was played at the Toray Pan Pacific Open, a WTA event held in Tokyo.
What seed is Naomi Osaka in this tournament?
Naomi Osaka entered the event as the No. 7 seed.
Source: wtatennis.com
