WTA Melbourne: Andrea Petkovic is narrowly defeated by Naomi Osaka
Andrea Petkovic clearly missed a surprise against the four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka. The 34-year-old from Darmstadt lost to the Japanese in the quarterfinals of the WTA tournament in Melbourne 1: 6, 5: 7.
by SID / red
last edit: Jan 07, 2022, 02:27 pm
Previously, Petkovic had already proven in the course of the tournament that her form is right with a view to the Australian Open (from January 17).
Osaka, which is playing its first tournament after a four-month self-imposed break, was too strong for the previous ninth in the world rankings. Petkovic improved in the second set and also managed a break to 4: 2, but the defending champion of the Australian Open came back immediately and grabbed the second round with her dominant style of play.
Barty in Adelaide versus Swiatek
"She never gave up a ball, and then I didn't," said Osaka, who disenchanted Petkovic despite her strong service rate of over 70 percent. Osaka will play against Veronika Kudermetova in tomorrow's semifinals. The second game of the semifinals will be played by Simona Halep and the Chinese Qinwen Zheng.
At the WTA Tour 500 event taking place in Adelaide at the same time, world number one Ashleigh Barty qualified for the semifinals with a sovereign success against Sofia Kenin. There Barty meets Iga Swiatek, who Victoria Azarenka won in three sets. The second finalist will be determined between Elena Rybakina and Misaki Doi.