Maria Sharapova continued to struggle on the courts that led to her demise at the BNP Paribas Open Wednesday night. The Russian’s second serve struggled against Naomi Osaka whose hard serve had dominant moments that led to her 6-4, 6-4 win at Stadium One at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It was the third consecutive match defeat for the former number one in what was a tough return to the desert.
This was the first time the two stars met and a challenge for the Japanese star with Sharapova making her return for the first time in two years. Since dealing with her suspension, the 30-year-old has climbed back significantly in the ranks and looks to attempt to become champion since her last title win in 2013. Osaka made the third-round last year but hadn’t faced anyone with a high performance in the tournament. With coach Sascha Baijin in her corner, his experience of watching Sharapova play against his former hitting partners would be of an assist to make it a challenge under the lights.
Osaka followed the path of her coach and took a run at dominating Sharapova early with the big forehand. It set her on a 3-0 run where it looked as if the Japanese star would nail down the double break. Unwilling to let that happen, the former number one etched out her first win of the set to get herself on the board. After saving herself from the dreaded bagel, Osaka made it 4-1 nailing a big forehand winner beating Sharapova. Giving her opponent very little opportunities, the 20-year-old attempted to make it hers in the sixth but a service hold from Sharapova extended the night.
The Russian made it a serious comeback as she fought in the seventh to break Osaka and sit a game down of leveling the set. She succeeded in leveling the score at four all before Osaka made her serve count in the ninth to sit up 5-4. The pressure showed in Sharapova’s serve as she double faulted a fourth time setting up the 20-year-old with set point. Osaka spent very little time getting the job done to complete the set in 45 minutes. Despite having a troubling second serve, Osaka managed her offense and returned big on the second serve landing 9 of 12 against Sharapova who had very little response against the heavy hitter.
She struggled as Osaka was slowly taking steps closer to winning the match. She got into a two all tie but the Japanese star gained a couple of key breaks to lead 4-2. A bad service game from Osaka opened the door for the former number one who won the game after two breaks on deuce. She added another on serve that had her hunting for the first lead of the match. Game nine saw the two fighting to control their second serve and make a push to win the set. Osaka struck her chance first hanging on to her serve with Sharapova playing to stay alive in the match.
The final game was an up and down battle but mistakes from Sharapova led the two to deuce where the 20-year-old put a grip on deuce to win the match in 1 hour and 35 minutes. Osaka nailed down the serve in the late stages that got her a big win early in the tournament despite having four double faults. Sharapova’s second serve was below expectations with six double faults which came as a surprise to many.
While she tries to figure out the issues, the Japanese power hitter would go into the second round to meet Agnieszka Radwanska on Friday.
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