Naomi Osaka, a former world number one and new mother, expressed happiness on her return to the court. She won her first match back after a long break, although she admitted to feeling 'super nervous.' Osaka faced fellow former WTA #1 Karolina Pliskova in her second-round match in Brisbane. The match was intense, with both players displaying exceptional tennis. Pliskova ultimately won the match 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, hitting 16 aces and converting 2 break points, while Osaka struggled with a 2/12 break point conversion rate. Despite the loss, Osaka's performance was praised, with her exceptional serving, returning, and groundstrokes noted. Meanwhile, other players like Swiatek, Rodionova, Azarenka, and Kudermetova also had notable wins in the Brisbane tournament.
Starting the New Year with a WIN! 💥 @SabalenkaA starts her 2024 season with a win over Bronzetti in straight sets! #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/av41Y9XZ1Q
A spectacular performance 👏 @KaPliskova defeats Osaka in a three set thriller 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/LQ7d7FreBc
Heckin’, heckin’ high quality match in a battle of former #1’s. Pliskova takes it 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 over Osaka. Pliskova hit 16 aces to Osaka’s 14, but the big stat was break point conversion: Pliskova was 2/2; Osaka was 2/12. But in terms of ball striking, she’s right there.
Karolina Pliskova hits 16 (!) aces and and beats Naomi Osaka 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 and reach the last 16 in Brisbane, where she is a three time champ. BPs converted Osaka 2/12 Pliskova 2/2 Incredible match and level from the two former world number #1s. The best I've seen Pliskova… https://t.co/Oyai3kYG8J
Karolina Pliskova hits 16 (!) aces and and beats Naomi Osaka 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 and reach the last 16 in Brisbane, where she is a three time champ. BPs converted Osaka 2/12 Pliskova 2/2 Incredible match and level from the two former world number #1s. The best I've see Pliskova… https://t.co/VkTTO4jX5l
Pliskova with the break in the 3rd. 2/2 on break points vs. 2/9 from Osaka...
I surely wasn't expecting Osaka to be this good this early in her comeback. And Pliskova has been playing some of the best tennis I've seen her play in a longgggg time. Motivation surely helps. Absurd level for a WTA R2.
An ace to finish 🔥 @HumbertUgo kicks off his 2024 season with a 6-4 6-4 win over Alex Michelsen at #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/jvilPMr8sw
Karolina Pliskova refuses to go away easily, fighting back to take the second set 7-6(4)! 👀 #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/WyVSpwzGl1
Pliskova takes the 2nd set, forces a 3rd vs. Osaka in Brisbane. 3-6, 7-6(4). Naomi didn't face a break point all set, but Pliskova was great, specially in the tiebreak. Amazing level. Both players destroying the ball. https://t.co/XV4CAwZiIA
Veronika Kudermetova first winner of the day in Brisbane -- beats AK Schmiedlova 6-2, 6-3 to reach the last 16.
On fire 🔥 @naomiosaka takes the first set 6-3 over Pliskova. #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/lfogreMcwo
What a set of tennis from Naomi Osaka. Incredible serving and returning. Great from the ground as well. 6-3 on fellow former #1 Karolina Pliskova. https://t.co/eiaiXd259V
Osaka was 2-0, 40-15 to start the match vs. Pliskova but gets broken right back. This Brisbane R2 should be good.
Naomi Osaka on court now for the second match of her comeback, against fellow former WTA #1 Karolina Pliskova. In case you missed it, I wrote a book about her. 😃 https://t.co/ohhIvWbwNz
Still my favorite clip of me skating. Really going to miss my mural 💔 https://t.co/fIjto8YQlZ
Osaka gets the 11 a.m. slot again Wednesday for her second-round match v Pliskova. Then it's Sabalenka/Bronzetti Popyrin and Safiullin Rybakina vs the winner of tonight's late match and then Rune v Shevchenko.
Vika Azarenka starts her 2024 season with a good 6-1, 7-6(8) win over Anna Kalinskaya to reach the last 16 in Brisbane. Served twice for the match but got the job done in the tiebreak.
Azarenka advances ⏩ @vika7 gets through Anna Kalinskaya 6-1 7-6(8) to move into the last 16 👏 #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/iJ7RsBKViP
HOW ABOUT THAT! 💫 @arinarodionova shines to take out No.14 seed Sofia Kenin in straight sets, 7-5 7-6(7) 🇦🇺 #BrisbaneTennis https://t.co/5ZmOKgI95L
Now on @ForbesSports Naomi Osaka Triumphs In 1st Match As A Mom: ‘It Feels Really Good To Be Back’ via @forbes https://t.co/GTtlQ0bXM7 @PatrickMcEnroe @bgtennisnation @rennaestubbs @ChrisMcKendry @Steve_Weissman
Former world number one and new mother Naomi Osaka said she was proud to have won her first match back after a long break, admitting she had been "super nervous". #AFPSports ➡️ https://t.co/xsQE3v2p4E https://t.co/ybmLdYvblU
Swiatek on Osaka: "I'm really happy she's back. I heard she's really feeling well off court, which is amazing to hear. It's going to be nice to see her and catch up. "Her tennis has always been great. She had ups and downs, but when she was playing great it was hard to win vs.…