Serena Williams tops Naomi Osaka in Adelaide

After Novak Djokovic, Filip Krajinovic and Jannik Sinner, two WTA stars stepped on the court in Adelaide at A Day at the Drive exhibition. The seven-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams took down the 2019 champion Naomi Osaka 6-2, 2-6, 7-6. Williams played well behind the serve and forehand, overcame the second set and stayed focused in the decider to bring the victory home. Serena held at love in the third game with a backhand crosscourt winner and sealed the fifth game with a forehand down the line winner to remain in front. Overpowering the opponent, Williams secured a break a few minutes later with a backhand winner at the net, opening a 4-2 gap and forcing Osaka's error to extend the advantage.

Dominating so far, Serena grabbed another break in game eight following a forced error to wrap up the opener after 21 minutes. Naomi made a better start in set number two and scored a break in the first game following a double fault from Serena. The Japanese confirmed the break with a hold at 15 and landed a backhand winner in game four for another comfortable service game and a 3-1 lead. Serena suffered another break in game five thanks to a forehand error and fell 5-1 down when Naomi placed a backhand winner. Osaka sealed the set with a service winner in game eight, setting a decider after 44 minutes. Serena won the match tie break 10-7 with a service winner to seal the deal and score a win.

Serena Williams defeated Naomi Osaka 6-2, 2-6, 10-7 in Adelaide.

After the match, Serena appreciated the crowd and the fact they can compete in front of the people in the stands for the first time in over a year. Osaka was on the same side, saying it is fantastic to play in front of the crowd and wishing for more of that in Melbourne. Both Serena and Naomi will to Melbourne and compete at two WTA 500 events in the week before the Australian Open, shaping their games ahead of the season's first Major that starts on February 8. Osaka will battle against Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina, while Serena faces the home star Ashleigh Barty, the defending champion Sofia Kenin, Karolina Pliskova and Petra Kvitova. After that, the players will embrace the Australian Open action, seeking the first Major crown of the season.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3ppEuVU