After a good run to the semis the US Open, Naomi Osaka ‘s Asian swing started on a rough note. The former world No.1 struggled to find her rhythm at the China Open, losing in the first round to qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Concerns popped up, but Osaka stayed positive heading into the Wuhan Open. “ Honestly I don’t think I played well, but I tried to fight. So I’m happy with that, ” she said after. But at Wuhan she won her opener against Leylah Fernandez, though the Round of 32 didn’t go her way. She even revealed a weakness.

On Wednesday, the 11th seed gave it her all but couldn’t hold off Linda Noskova. The 20-year-old Czech player beat Osaka in straight sets after a fierce tiebreak in the first set. Noskova out-served Osaka in just 1 hour and 28 minutes!

Tennis journalist Jose

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