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Naomi Osaka beaten by qualifier Danielle Collins in Abu Dhabi Open first round as comeback continues
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Published 06/02/2024 at 14:03 GMT
Naomi Osaka suffered defeat to Danielle Collins in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open. Osaka was playing her third tournament since the start of 2023 after giving birth last year. The four-time Grand Slam champion went 0-6 on break points as Collins came out on top in straight sets. Emma Raducanu faces second seed Ons Jabeur in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open on Wednesday.
Collins ‘relied on tactics’ to beat major champion Osaka – ‘I knew what to expect'
Video credit: SNTV
Naomi Osaka lost in straight sets to qualifier Danielle Collins in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open.
From 5-4 down in the first set, world No. 71 Collins reeled off nine games in a row to seal a 7-5 6-0 win.
Former world No. 1 Osaka, who has returned to the tour this season after giving birth, went 0-6 on break points.
Osaka has won one of four matches in 2024.
She will later play doubles with Ons Jabeur, who faces Emma Raducanu in the second round of the singles on Wednesday.
Collins, who announced after the Australian Open that this will be her last season on tour, will next face top seed Elena Rybakina.
"I still feel like I am in good form even though this is my last year," said Collins.
"But I needed an end date. I have really enjoyed my time on tour and had a lot of fun, but right now it's not over yet and I still competing and battling and still have some goals I want to accomplish."
She added: "I knew what to expect against Naomi.
"She has been out for a while and is still coming back, but I had to lean into my tactics and rely on that and play my game."
There was little to separate Osaka and Collins in the first set as serve dominated in the opening nine games.
Collins was pushed as she held from deuce for 5-5, and then broke to take the lead.
Osaka saved the first break point with a forehand winner but a netted backhand gave Collins another chance, which she took.
Collins passed up two chances to wrap up the set as she double faulted and missed a backhand.
Osaka fended off a third set point with a winner, but couldn’t prevent Collins taking it at the fourth try.
After such a tight opening set, the second got away from Osaka.
A fortunate net cord helped Collins break to love and she then held from 15-40 down, saving three break points in the game.
Collins broke again for a 3-0 lead as Osaka fired wide.
Again the former world No. 1 had three chances to break back, but couldn’t convert, with a close line call taking Collins to deuce.
Collins took the fifth game with a third successive break and closed out the win with a love hold.
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