Former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki beats Japanese Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 for second Japan Open title; Dane experiences first triumph since Malaysia Open glory in March 2015
Wozniacki celebrates after beating Osaka in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo yesterday. Pic/AP,PTI
Tokyo: Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki overpowered Japan's Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 to capture the Pan Pacific Open on Sunday, her first tournament victory since March 2015. The Dane, who has battled back from a wretched run of injuries this year, weathered an early storm from her teenage opponent before running out a comfortable winner, claiming a second Tokyo title and the 24th of her career.
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"I'm very proud to win the tournament," Wozniacki told reporters. "Somebody just told me I've won a tournament every year since 2008. That's a nice little streak and hopefully I can keep it going and keep moving forward."
Injury scare
Wozniacki, the Pan Pacific champion six years ago, survived a health scare after dropping serve to go down 4-3 in the first set. After feeling a twinge in her left thigh, she left the court for treatment and returned with her leg heavily bandaged. But it appeared to have little adverse effect as Wozniacki took complete control, ripping a fierce backhand down the line to take the set.
Naomi Osaka
Osaka, who called a medical timeout of her own for a sore right shoulder after losing the first set, produced some spirited resistance to avoid the dreaded 'bagel', but it was too little too late.
Wozniacki completed victory with a crisp backhand which forced Osaka into yet another wild shot, giving the Dane her first title since March in Kuala Lumpur last year. The Dane is set to climb to 22 or 23 in the new rankings.
Lapse in concentration
Osaka will break into the top 50 after her fairytale run but confessed her inexperience had cost her. "Everything is a bit new to me," she said. "I was thinking too much about the whole situation. When she took a medical break I should've been more focused on my game," added Osaka.
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