Sean M. Haffey/Getty Photographs
Naomi Osaka fell to Emma Navarro in straight units, 6-4, 6-1, within the second spherical of Wimbledon on Wednesday.
Credit score goes to Navarro for an distinctive efficiency. She gained 84 % of her first-serve factors, gained 4-of-5 break factors, prevented dealing with a break level herself and earned the victory in 59 minutes. She additionally gained 5 video games in a row at one level.
On the flip aspect, it was a tricky consequence for Osaka, whose struggles at Wimbledon, and on grass, continued.
Osaka has certified for Wimbledon 4 occasions (2017-2019, 2024) however has not superior additional than the third spherical.
Osaka can also be 14-12 lifetime in skilled singles play on grass. On exhausting courts, she’s 148-72. That is the place all 4 of her Grand Slam titles have been gained, with victories coming on the 2018 and 2020 U.S. Opens and 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens.
In equity to Osaka, she’s largely been away from the sport over the previous three years.
Osaka took day off on a number of events in 2021 and 2022 to handle her psychological well being. She additionally gave start to a child woman in June 2023 and missed your complete calendar 12 months.
Osaka has performed in 2024 however understandably hasn’t been close to her peak kind, going 16-13 up to now and solely reaching the quarterfinals of a event as soon as.
Her finest effort might have been a near-upset of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek within the second spherical of the French Open, shedding 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5. Swiatek ended up successful the event.
Navarro, nonetheless, was merely the significantly better participant on today, and Osaka had to deal with one other subpar efficiency on grass.
DieuMerci @Tymlessthought
Naomi Osaka is discovering her return to tennis difficult, seven months in, post-maternity. She should discover a option to be snug enjoying on Grass and Clay. One of many hallmarks of nice champions is successful even after they’re not enjoying manner. At this time’s efficiency was disappointing.
Vansh @vanshv2k
Osaka’s large backswing on her forehand makes it powerful for her on grass to soak up energy coming proper and she will’t get her toes set in time.
The decrease bounce makes it exhausting for her to hit the flat forehand with sufficient web clearance. Particularly when the opponent slices and will get it…
Mark ⚽ 🎾 🏁 @footballmark808
#bbctennis | #Wimbldon
Watching Naomi Osaka, you’re feeling like she must be doing higher on grass, however she’s solely reached so far as the third spherical at SW19
It appears to be like like she’s solely snug on exhausting courts
Deej @Simply_Deej
Watching Naomi Osaka she needs to be significantly better on grass, she has the bottom strokes to be dominant she simply must be a significantly better mover.
It makes you admire Serena trigger she’s the Wimbledon goat and it wasn’t simply reason behind her pure energy. She was elite at motion too
The grass season is now over for Osaka, although, and she will look forward later in August and September to the U.S. Open, a event the place she has traditionally thrived.