Roland Garros - Day 3 - Osaka escapes

Naomi Osaka (1) played her first match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Day Three of Roland Garros 2019. It was against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia, and the first step in what the Japanese star hoped would be her third straight Grand Slam trophy.

The pair had never played each other, and Osaka quickly wished that was still the case when Schmiedlova broke the serve of the world #1 in the opening game. Four backhand errors were costly.

Schmiedlova held, then after leading 30-15 Osaka netted a forehand and double faulted, giving a break point to her opponent. A failed Osaka forehand and Schmiedlova was ahead 3-0.

Surrendering just a single point, the Slovakian extended the advantage to 4-0, before once again piling the pressure on the Japanese serve.

From 30-30, Osaka missed with a forehand then double faulted and incredibly trailed 0-5.

Serving for the set, Schmiedlova lost the first point when her backhand sailed long, but no problems thereafter, as Osaka netted a backhand, did the same with a forehand, and put a forehand long, producing two set points. A service winner sealed the set 6-0. No one saw this coming.

Osaka opened the second set a much sharper version of hereself.  She won eight of the first nine points, and before a brief rain delay was able to consolidate a service break and lead 3-0.

The delay was a blessing for Schmiedlova who, upon returning to the court, rattled off five straight games to be within a game of taking the match.

Nerves set in for Schmiedlova when at the line, and Osaka achieved a timely break of serve to level at 5-5. Not to be outdone Schmiedlova kept the trend alive, breaking serve and served for the match a second time.

Schmiedlova won a point for 30-30 placing her within two points of a famous victory, but Osaka wouldn’t let it happen, creating break point on three occasions. Schmiedlova saved those, but couldn’t prevent a fourth one from being converted. Osaka broke to force a tie break.

Fully dialed into the contest now, Osaka ruled the tie break, and with two mini breaks, soon amassed four set points. Two were saved, but Osaka proceeded to level the match by taking the set 7-6(4)

Although Schmiedlova appeared to regroup from the disappointment of not wrapping up the match when given chances, her 1-0 lead in the deciding third set was short. Osaka delivered her best at the right time, cruising through the remaining games to escape intact 0-6 7-6(4) 6-1.