'Super Disappointed' Osaka Comeback Ended by Big-serving Pliskova

Naomi Osaka leaves the court in Brisbane after losing her singles match against Karolina Pliskova. Patrick HAMILTON / AFP
Naomi Osaka leaves the court in Brisbane after losing her singles match against Karolina Pliskova. Patrick HAMILTON / AFP
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'Super Disappointed' Osaka Comeback Ended by Big-serving Pliskova

Naomi Osaka leaves the court in Brisbane after losing her singles match against Karolina Pliskova. Patrick HAMILTON / AFP
Naomi Osaka leaves the court in Brisbane after losing her singles match against Karolina Pliskova. Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Naomi Osaka said Wednesday she was "super disappointed" but just being on court was a "personal win" after her return to tennis at the Brisbane International was ended by defending champion Karolina Pliskova.
Pliskova, who won the tournament the last time it was held in 2020, bounced back from losing the first set to grind down the Japanese star 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in the second round, AFP said.
World number two Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, thumped Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-0 in a dominant display on Pat Rafter Arena.
"Even though it's super disappointing today, I know that if I keep training and if I keep putting in the work, then I'll eventually get to where I want to be," said Osaka.
"It's kind of tough because she has such a great serve -- my break points could have been better, but I think other than that, we both played really well.
"Even stepping on the court is a personal win because a couple of weeks ago I was even doubting if I could play with everyone," she added.
"So I guess these two matches that I've had kind of prove to me that I am doing okay, and the year is just going to get better for me."
The four-time Grand Slam champion had not played a tournament since September 2022, citing mental health concerns. She had a baby daughter in July before deciding to make a comeback.
After an impressive first-round win over Germany's Tamara Korpatsch, Osaka started strongly against the 39th-ranked Pliskova, breaking the Czech's opening service game.
Pliskova, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, leveled but Osaka broke again to take a 4-2 lead then held on to bank the opening set.
The momentum began to shift in the second set as the tall Pliskova began to find the mark with her serve.

She won the second set tiebreak then got an early break in the third, holding on with ease to take the match in 2hr 13min.
Pliskova has won the Brisbane International three times and said she felt better and better as the match progressed.
"I thought I played quite well -- there are a lot of things to improve but it's a good start," said Pliskova, adding that after a first-round bye and having not played since September, she needed time to find her feet.
"You can practice as much as you want but in matches it's always a little bit different," she said.
Reigning Australian Open champion Sabalenka was in imperious form against Bronzetti, breaking the Italian once in the first set and three times in the second.
"I'm super happy with the performance and I think I played a really great match," said Sabalenka, who won 24 points to Bronzetti's five in the second set.
"I just hope I can keep this same level for each match, or even better.

 

 



Verstappen Proves a Point at Suzuka but Challenges Remain 

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets a pit service during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets a pit service during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP)
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Verstappen Proves a Point at Suzuka but Challenges Remain 

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets a pit service during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets a pit service during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP)

World champion Max Verstappen exploded the idea that McLaren might absolutely dominate the Formula One season with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix at the weekend, but the Dutchman was by no means certain he would be able to repeat the feat elsewhere.

Verstappen steered his Red Bull to a pole-to-flag victory for an unprecedented fourth year in a row at Suzuka on Sunday, continuing his love affair with the home circuit of his team's engine providers Honda.

The four-times world champion was delighted with his weekend in Japan, highlighted by the brilliant qualifying lap that snatched pole position away from McLaren's Lando Norris, but cautious about what it meant for the remaining 21 races.

"I think we know our limitations," he said. "So we just have to try and run against that limitation as much as we can. But yeah, it's still not fixed.

"So this is hopefully going to be fixed soon, but I cannot give you a timeline on that. It's just about trying to find that limit, which is really sensitive for us at the moment."

Team principal Christian Horner was clear about what the Suzuka win, coming after dominant wins for McLaren in Australia and China, meant for Red Bull.

"Max, without any debate, is the best driver in the world currently," he said.

"I think for the drivers' championship, Max is, what, one point behind now? So for us, all priority is on that.

"The constructors is going to be harder, but it's a long year, and you never give up, and I think there's no better tonic or motivator than winning."

After three races, Red Bull are a hefty 50 points behind McLaren in the constructors' championship and Verstappen does indeed trail Norris by a single point in the drivers' standings heading to next week's race in Bahrain.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was equally clear that he wants both titles and, convinced that the best cars in Formula One are in his garage, was satisfied with second for Norris and third for Oscar Piastri.

A cool track and very little tire degradation meant qualifying position was crucial at Suzuka with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who was seventh, the only driver in the top 10 finishers managing to overtake during the race.

The Bahrain heat is likely to offer very different conditions but Piastri warned he and Norris would need to be wary of Mercedes and Ferrari as well as Red Bull in the Gulf kingdom, the home of McLaren's owners.

"I think we have a small advantage, but I think this weekend has really shown that any small mistake and there's a lot of competition there to capitalize," the Australian said.