Haitian-Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Unseeded Naomi Osaka crushed local Australian Open hope Ashleigh Barty with a comprehensive 6-4, 6-2 win Saturday to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time.
The powerful 20-year-old took the first set against the 18th seed in 38 minutes before racing to a 4-0 lead in the second on the back of an impressive serve. Barty finally got on the board in her third service game but it was too little too late.
Osaka smashed 12 aces and 24 clean winners past Barty on Saturday to send Australia’s last women’s singles hope packing with a crushing 6-4 6-2 third-round defeat.
“I feel really happy but I’m also kind of sorry because I know you guys wanted her to win,” the 20-year-old told the Australian crowd on Margaret Court Arena.
“I’ve always wanted to play against an Australian player because on TV it always seems really cool.”
“I feel really happy but kind of sorry, because I know all of you wanted Ash to win!”
A very classy interview after a very classy performance. On @Naomi_Osaka_ goes! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/U5XOs7OefK
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2018
Osaka will now have a shot at world No.1 Simona Halep for a place in a grand slam quarter-final for the first time. Congratulations Naomi, we are rooting for you.
During the winter break, the tennis star took a few days off to vacation in Haiti. During her trip which included rock climbing and swimming, she met with the children in the school her parents built in Jacmel 20 years ago.
