Thursday, 17 January 2019

AO - Osaka d Zidansek in straight sets

After a rain delay, the second match on Margaret Court Arena, Day Four of the 2019 Australian Open, began.


Naomi Osaka (4) v Tamara Zidansek 

Zidansek began with a forehand winner, but was nervous thereafter, a double fault included, and Osaka broke on the first chance to lead 1-0.

A quick consolidation, an ace included, and 2-0 the reward.

A Zidansek winning forehand highlighted her initial score on the board, trailing now 1-2.

Osaka was loose in game four and faced a break point.  A fourth unforced error lost the fourth seed her serve. 2-2.

Zidansek faced two break points following a second forced error.  One was saved with a backhand winner, but Osaka had a better one in her bag of tricks to seal the break and it was 3-2.


An Osaka service winner for 30-0, and an off forehand to consolidate the break. 4-2.

A volley winner from Osaka set up two break points.  An ace cleared one.   An Osaka error the other. A Japanese forehand produced a third break chance, a backhand down the line clinched it.  5-2 and serving for the set.

Three Zidansek errors - two unforced - and Osaka had a couple of set points.  One needed and Osaka led 6-2.  17 unforced errors cost Zidansek dearly.


Games were 1-1 on serve in set two - Zidansek hit two forehand winners in her hold, Osaka two aces in hers.

A backhand winner and an ace from Zidansek for 2-1.

Good serving and two Zidansek shots finding the net 30-0 Osaka.  Forehand winner and two game points.  Hold for 2-2.  

Behind 0-30, Zidansek produced a forehand winner.  An over hit on a simple volley and break point. Saved with a better volley.  Serve held for 3-2.

Zidansek volley winner and Osaka double fault.  Big serve then Osaka backhand error. Two break points.  One saved. Backhand long and Zidansek led 4-2.

Attacking the Zidansek forehand reaped dividends for Osaka.  She gained errors to have Zidansek 0-30.

Forehand winner and two break back points. One saved. And the next.

A third was converted following a wild Zidansek shot. 4-3 to the Slovenian but on serve.


Osaka won the next eight points, including another break of the Zidansek serve.

This brought her to the line at 5-4, serving for the match.

Two Zidansek forehand winners gave her two break points.  However Osaka saved these, one with an ace.

One match point came and went, but a Zidansek forced forehand error ended the contest.

Naomi Osaka won 6-2 6-4.

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