AO - Day 1 - Osaka v Bouzkova

First up on Rod Laver Arena on Day One of the 2020 Australian Open was defending Womens Singles champion Naomi Osaka battling Marie Bouzkova.

The first two games were served to love, but Osaka was the first to have to save a break point - in game four. That she did, and proceeded to punish the Czech player by creating three immediate break points the next game. Bouzkova saved them all, and a fourth as well. A fifth chance was converted with a cross court forehand forcing an error. 3-2 to the third seed.

Consolidation came on the back of some impatient play from Bouzkova, but a down the line forehand winner must have pleased her somewhat, despite the 2-4 scoreline. Osaka sealed the game with a backhand winner.

A tenth Osaka winner, this time a forehand, was copied by Bouzkova, but she was under pressure once more and inevitably faced a break point, a double fault setting it up. A wildly long forehand gave Osaka the double break and a chance to serve out the opening set.

An ace was the perfect start, but a fine overhead from Bouzkova kept her honest. Two Japanese errors and 30-30. A backhand winner and set point. A forehand winner and 6-2 Osaka.

Set two saw Bouzkova take control early, holding serve, and having break point opportunities in the second game. Two aces obliterated those chances, and serve was held. Bouzkova in turn saved a break point in game three, before Osaka levelled with a love game.

The sixth game, longest of the set, had Osaka in difficulty, following unforced errors to both sides of the court and one into the net. Two break points saved, once again with big serves, one an ace. A third break point created with a spectacular forehand cross court return winner. Osaka missed long and the break came. 4-2 Bouzkova.

Sadly for Bouzkova that was her last winning game. From 30-30 in game seven, Osaka returned a mishit winner, then a double fault confirmed the break back.

At 4-4, and 30-30, Bouzkova serving, Osaka hit a brilliant backhand return winner, then a backhand down the line winner broke the Czech serve again. 5-4 Osaka and she would serve for victory.

At 30-0, Bouzkova hit a return winner, but it only delayed the obvious. Osaka prevailed on the first of two match points, when a Bouzkova backhand sailed wide.