'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.

 

 



Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal: Team Ownership Could Be Next F1 Step for Saudi Arabia 

Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - April 13, 2025 Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, president of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation is pictured on the grid before the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - April 13, 2025 Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, president of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation is pictured on the grid before the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Reuters)
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Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal: Team Ownership Could Be Next F1 Step for Saudi Arabia 

Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - April 13, 2025 Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, president of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation is pictured on the grid before the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - April 13, 2025 Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, president of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation is pictured on the grid before the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Reuters)

Owning a Formula One team could be the next step for Saudi Arabia after sponsoring the sport and hosting a grand prix, according to the president of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal told reporters in a video call ahead of this weekend's race in Jeddah that the interest was there.

"It could happen, it could happen soon if you see the growth (of the sport)," he said.

"If you are going to buy a Formula One team then people will buy it to make money out of it, especially if it's going to be bought by one of the PIF (Saudi Public Investment Fund) companies.

"We see Formula One is reaching new markets, sales are globally increasing ...

"It's not easy to say which team to buy and how you're going to manage it. But we have a lot of interest ... we're hosting Formula One, sponsoring teams. So I wouldn't be surprised if we see an announcement for a Saudi team."

Saudi Arabia first hosted Formula One in 2021, while energy giant Aramco is a global partner of the sport and also title sponsor of the Aston Martin team.

The PIF invested in McLaren in 2021 and already has a 20.5% stake in luxury carmaker Aston Martin, which is separate from the team controlled by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll.

Aston Martin, the carmaker, said last month it would raise more than 125 million pounds ($163.5 million) from Stroll, who is also its chairman, and the sale of its stake in the F1 team.

Investment bank Raine Group has been commissioned by Stroll to help find a buyer for that holding.

There is also lingering speculation about the future of the Renault-owned Alpine team, despite the French carmaker's insistence that a sale is not on the agenda.

'WHY NOT?'

Other Middle Eastern countries who host races have ties to Formula One, with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) holding a significant minority stake in the Audi team due to debut next year.

Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat is major shareholder in champions McLaren, with Abu Dhabi's CYVN Holdings recently acquiring McLaren Automotive.

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports over the last few years with the aim to become a global sports hub.

Formula One is enjoying a surge of support in the Middle East with younger female fans the fastest growing demographic globally, according to Nielsen Sports. The region has four of the 24 races.

Formula One teams have soared in value of late, with new audiences attracted by the Netflix docu-series "Drive to Survive".

Alpine, sixth overall last year with Aston Martin fifth, were valued at around $900 million in 2023 after an investor group took a 24% stake for $200 million.

With General Motors-backed Cadillac coming in next year as an 11th team, there remains a space for one more.

"Personally, I would like to see a Saudi team," said Prince Khalid.

"But if Saudi Arabia or one of the Saudi companies will be involved in one of the teams, I would like them to do it the right way and be successful. It's a tricky question, but why not?"