Australian Open: Naomi Osaka and Andy Murray give each other roses
Naomi Osaka and Andy Murray expressed their deepest respect for each other via social media on Wednesday. The Scot was just as impressed by Osaka's performances in Australia so far as the fighting spirit of the former world number one did to the Japanese.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 19, 2022, 06:28 pm
Admittedly, it's not easy to see parallels between Naomi Osaka's and Andy Murray's previous performances at the Australian Open. While the four-time Grand Slam winner has marched through the tournament so far and only had to give up ten games in her two matches, the opening match for Andy Murray against Nikoloz Basilashvili developed into a battle. Which the Scot finally won in five sets.
Accordingly, regeneration was the order of the day for the 34-year-old from Glasgow, which he used to watch his colleagues at work. And - who can blame him - Naomi Osaka's second-round duel with Madison Brengle couldn't be avoided. In any case, the appearance of the 24-year-old seemed to impress Murray to some extent.
Hit cleaner than Osaka and fight harder than Murray?
"Is there anyone who hits the ball from the baseline cleaner than Naomi Osaka?" threw the former world number one on social media. A compliment with which Murray knew how to enchant the Japanese, who countered a few hours after her success: "Is there anyone who wears his heart on his sleeve and fights harder than Andy Murray?"
There is no doubt that the two exceptional talents will, in fact, have to, display these attributes at their upcoming performances Down Under. Round two for Murray on Thursday is against Taro Daniel from Japan, while Osaka will face off in their third round duel with the in-form American Amanda Anisimova.
Here is the women's individual tableau
laver arena