Naomi Osaka states her fundamental aim for the relaxation of the season after profitable her first match in Beijing

Naomi Osaka defeated Maria Timofeeva, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, in the second spherical of the China Open.

Returning to WTA Tour motion after dropping to the eventual champion Elena Rybakina in New York, Osaka was pushed to her restrict against Uzbekistani star Timofeeva.

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The former world quantity one struggled in the second set, but recovered to secure the win and her place in the third spherical, where she will meet Czechia’s Sara Bejlek. After the match, Osaka shared her objectives for the relaxation of the season, during which she will play several occasions on her home continent.

Naomi Osaka desires to improve her seeding for next yr’s Australian Open

“I mean, for me, this is the Asian Swing. It’s kind of like my home swing. Well, I kind of refer to everything as my home swing. You know, I love to be here. I won this tournament before. I’m ending in Tokyo. That I also consider my home,” said Osaka during her post-match press convention.

“I just want to, like, do well and hopefully have an opportunity to be higher-seeded going into Australia. I’m definitely going to try my best and just see what happens.”

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Osaka sits seventeenth in the ‘Live WTA Rankings’ and was seeded thirteenth at the last Grand Slam, the US Open. To keep away from enjoying a prime participant in the fourth spherical like she did in New York (Rybakina), Osaka would need to climb into the prime eight.

She at present trails world quantity eight Karolina Muchova by 2,327 factors. She is unlikely to overtake Muchova by the finish of the yr, but she could close the hole by profitable one of the two WTA 1000 occasions in China.

Live WTA Rankings

Snapshot of the ‘Live’ WTA Rankings

Osaka made a robust begin by profitable her opening match in Beijing, even though she struggled at occasions against the 22-year-old, particularly in the second set, which she lost 3-6. One reporter requested Osaka about that set, questioning whether it was her stage dipping or Timofeeva’s bettering that precipitated the swing in momentum.

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“It’s hard to say. I’m the type of player who always thinks it’s about me. I should have served a lot better. I also think I gave her the opportunity to be aggressive. Probably if you ask her, it would be a different story. I really think it depends on how we’re all internally feeling,” said Osaka.

Osaka will need to improve if she is to win the title in Beijing. She’ll play Bejlek in the third spherical, before probably assembly Karolina Muchova or Liudmila Samsonova in the last 16, and Sinja Kraus, Dayana Yastremska, Nikola Bartunkova, or Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.

Naomi Osaka shares how her mindset has modified since she won 4 Grand Slams earlier in her profession

The 28-year-old was also requested to remark on her mindset, having beforehand spoken about her mental health struggles. Osaka defined how her angle has modified since profitable Grand Slams when she was youthful.

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Naomi Osaka’s Grand Slam titles (4)

“I mean, I think it’s all about mindset. I feel like I’m definitely happier now. It’s because, like, tennis isn’t my entire life. I’ve managed to build a life outside of that. My daughter’s a huge part of it,” she said.

“I feel like it’s also a part of growing up. I think I was very sheltered as a kid. I literally ate, slept, and breathed for tennis. Now it’s just like growing up, being grateful to be able to play the sport, but understanding that nothing lasts forever. I’m just trying to do the best with the time that I have.”

Osaka, 28, won her last Grand Slam at 23. She won more matches at majors this yr than she had since 2019, but Osaka failed to add to her Grand Slam tally. Only time will inform if she can win her fifth title in 2027. Next yr’s Australian Open begins on January 11.