Naomi Osaka reflects upon the need to improve her game following a loss to Jil Tichmann at the Western & Southern Open. (0:18).
Naomi Osaka is happy that Jil Teichmann lost (0:18).
MASON, Ohio -- Naomi Osaka did not make it to the WTA Tour for her first appearance since late May's French Open.
In a 3-6-6-3, 6-3, and 6-3 defeat to No. 2, Osaka spray balls all over the court. Thursday's Western & Southern Open: 76 Jil Teichmann
Osaka repeatedly punched her left leg with her left wrist, and tried to talk loudly to herself. However, she was impassive while she shook hands with Teichmann at the net.
To reach the women's quarterfinals, Ash Barty, who is ranked number one, won the match with Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-1.
Barty stated that sometimes, the scoreline in tennis can be misleading. "It seemed like a convincing scoreline, but each game had critical points and I was able win most of them."
Men's top-seeded Daniil Medev reached the quarterfinals of Thursday's US Open tuneup event with a 6-3 win over Grigor Dimitrov.
Medvedev, who was the 2019 champion and was runner-up last year to Novak Djokovic, said that "it was definitely a fantastic level of tennis." It was very hot for us both. It was very hot for Grigor, so I assumed that it was. It happens to everyone. Our bodies become more used to heat.
Karolina Pliskova, a former tournament women's champion, won a 6-4 7-6 (5) victory over Jessica Pegula. Third-seeded Alexander Zverev, Olympic champion, won 6-2,6-3 against Guido Pella. Roland Garros finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, second-seeded, was pushed to three sets by Lorenzo Sonego before winning 5-7,6-3,6-4.
After a bad fall in the first set, Medvedev rebounded to win the second set.
Medvedev stated that although you can't see it on video, my racket hit my back and got between my legs. "I don’t know how this happens. My calf has a bruise. A bruise is just that. It isn't anything serious.
Second-ranked Russian player, Medvedev, was crowned the winner in Toronto last week after Dimitrov double-faulted at match point. After a bye, Medvedev was only on the court for 2 hours and 28 minutes. He won his first two matches in straight sets.
Medvedev is the only player other than Roger Federer and Djokovic to break the top 2 since July 18, 2005. Djokovic and Federer were limited by injuries and other issues this year.
Although his matches were short, Medvedev believes that winning will make a difference.
He said, "The more matches that I win in these tournaments that are comparable to New York the greater my confidence." Confidence is key. It is a great feeling to know that you are capable of doing good. It's possible, now that I know it. Grand Slams are Grand Slams. They are tough. They want to defeat you. We hope that you will show your best tennis.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
