Croatian representative Antonia Ružić (WTA – 17th) was within reach of the biggest victory of her career in her debut performance at the Australian Open, missing the advantage of a ‘break’ (4-3) in the decisive set against the former world ‘number 1’, Japanese Naomi Osaka (WTA – 17th), who eventually won with 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
In her first appearance at the Australian Open, Ružić got a chance play an evening match at Rod Laver Arena against the former double winner of this tournament and four-time Grand Slam winner.
As expected, the 22-year-old woman from Međimurje is at the beginning of the duel was impressed by the big stage and the opponentwho made an unusual entrance onto the court, arriving in an extravagant jellyfish-inspired outfit with a white umbrella in hand, a combination more appropriate for a fashion show than a tennis match.
In such circumstances, Ružić quickly fell behind winning only three points in the first three games. In the fourth game, she saved four break points and won the first game. From that moment on, Antonia became an equal rival.
She answered Osaka in the same waystrung together three games and reached 3-3. However, the 28-year-old Japanese woman, with a 4-3 lead, reached a new ‘break’ and served without losing a point to win the first set.
That did not discourage the Croatian representative who is in the second game of the second set got the break advantage and held it without difficulty until the ninth game in which she served for the set. Osaka had 15-40, but Ružić got out of that situation with a brave, but also rational game, and using the second set-ball took the match into the decisive, third set.
Osaka won the first two games of the third setbut Ružić immediately hit back with a ‘break’ after a lost serve. At 3-3, Antonia once again broke the serve of the former world’s best tennis player and came within two games of victory. Unfortunately, she stayed that far, because in the next three games, Osaka raised the level of her game and, despite losing three points, won a place in the second round with a reversal. She finished the match with an indefensible backhand parallel and after two hours and 22 minutes raised her hands in the air in victory.
The serve was the biggest difference between the two tennis players. Osaka finished the match with 11 aces, of which she scored three in a row at 4-4 in the deciding set. The Japanese had 73% of her first serve, while Ružić remained at 58%.
The service got me out. I served very well. She is a great player. I’ve never played against her and I hope I don’t see her on the other side of the net again. But if that happens, I am convinced that we will play very good matches againOsaka said in a conversation with Jelena Dokić on the field of Rod Laver Arena immediately after the match, acknowledging her opponent.
In the second round, the Japanese woman will play against the experienced Romanian Sorana Cirstee (WTA – 41st).
(Hina | Photo: X)
