Osaka battles back to advance in Miami

Osaka wants to ‘play with the big dogs’ after Miami win - Daily Trust

Former world number one Naomi Osaka wants to “play with the big dogs” again after battling to a three-set win against Yuliia Starodubtseva in the first round of the Miami Open. Osaka came from a set down to beat Ukraine’s Starodubtseva 3-6 6-4 6-3 and claim her first victory since the Australian Open second round in January. It comes after the Japanese player described her first-round loss against Camila Osorio at Indian Wells two weeks ago as t…

Osaka survives Miami scare

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka rallied to beat Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Miami Open. The Japanese star captured her first match win since she reached the third round of the Australian Open -- where she retired with an abdominal injury while trailing Belinda Bencic. Osaka bounced back from a first-round loss to Camila Osorio at Indian Wells, a match she called the…

Naomi Osaka tells how Iga Swiatek French Open match helps her on 'hard days'

Naomi Osaka has a clear goal and that's to challenge "the big dogs" and she often uses last year's French Open performance against Iga Swiatek to boost her confidence and tell herself that she could still do it. On Tuesday, the four-time Grand Slam champion struggled heavily in her Miami opener but after coming only two games away from picking up what would have been a surprise and very disappointing loss, the Japanese went from trailing 4-6 2-4…

Naomi Osaka survives opening scare, hits reset in Miami: "I just want to play with the big dogs"

Having trailed Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva by a set and a break, Osaka claimed her first win since the Australian Open third round.

Naomi Osaka targets playing ‘with the big dogs’ after gritty Miami Open win

Osaka, a former Miami finalist, came from a set and a break down to win a tricky opener