Naomi Osaka loses to Zhang Shuai at Cincinnati Open in first round for back-to-back defeats ahead of US Open
Naomi Osaka has been beaten 6-4 7-5 by Zhang Shuai on Centre Court at the Cincinnati Open.
The former world No.1 has been eliminated from back-to-back tournaments at the first-round stage for the first time since 2018, and when that happened she went on to win the US Open in the next event.
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On this occasion, there were early signs of trouble for the four-time Grand Slam winner as she dropped the opening set, before Zhang held her nerve to serve out the match in straight sets.
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Speaking after the match, Zhang admitted it wasn’t Osaka’s “best day”.
“It’s always really tough to play a really good friend. She’s maybe not really feeling good today.
“Hopefully, she is better and better. Not her best day.”
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Zhang will take on 27th-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova on Wednesday in the next round.
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