Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka said today that she wanted to stay longer at the tournament in Brisbane, after losing in the second round to the Czech Karolina Pliskova.
Osaka lost in the second round to Czech Karolina Pliskova 6:3, 6:7, 4:6.
It is the first tournament for Osaka since she gave birth last July, and she achieved one victory, in the first round against Tamara Korpač in two sets.
"This tournament week is shorter than I wanted. I think I'm in good shape right now. Even the last time I played against her, I think I played better today," Osaka said.
Pliskova is a three-time champion of the tournament in Brisbane.
"I think I played pretty well. This court is her court, you know what I mean? We'll see what happens in Melbourne (Australian Open)," Osaka added.
She started well, winning the first set, but Pliskova played better after that, hitting 50 winners and 16 aces and saving 10 of 12 break points, making up for 11 double service faults.
"I looked at the stats after the match and realized that I could have played better on break points. But other than that, I think we both played really well. I hope she says the same," Osaka said.
Pliskova played her first match since September, due to problems with her left wrist.
"Many things have to be fixed, but this is a good start to the season," Pliskova said.
Her opponent will be Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.
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