Osaka beats Ostapenko as Pegula’s title defence ends

Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, defeated 22-seed Jelena Ostapenko to reach the fourth round of the Canadian Open.

The unseeded 27-year-old won 6-2, 6-4, and will face a tie for the final 16 against a second successive Latvian in Anastasija Sevastova.

Osaka, a Japanese Open champion who has previously triumphed in the US and Australian Opens, will face Sevastova on Friday in Montreal after Jessica Pegula, a 35-year-old upset defending champion and third seed, defeated 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

However, Osaka impressed by winning the first set within 30 minutes before increasing its lead to 3-1 in the third.

When Ostapenko hit a forehand and finished the match at 5-3, she again gave up a 4-2 lead.

However, when Osaka sent a forehand beyond the baseline, her 28-year-old opponent broke back and saved a match point on a forehand crosscourt winner.

However, Ostapenko’s love was rekindled in the final game when the Latvian netted a backhand to bring an end to the match that lasted an hour and a half.

She broke me a few times, but she’s a really good returner, Osaka said.

I initially tried to keep my pace and maintain my strength because I knew she’s a great player and that if I give her a chance, she’ll hit a winner on me.

American Pegula won 11 matches in Montreal, which is an excellent accomplishment for her in Canada.

However, Sevastova, the world’s number 3, returned from maternity leave in early 2024, shocked her.

Since beating Karolina Pliskova in 2017, the 35-year-old has won against a player who is in the top five of the WTA.

When Pegula broke her once more in the opening match, which left no hint of an upheaval.

However, Sevastova was given a break for a 5-4 lead in the second set when a forehand winner prevented Pegula from getting in the way for a crucial hold.

The Latvian held on as the momentum continued when Pegula sent a down-the-line forehand wide to give Sevastova a 2-1 lead before giving up a break.

In an hour and 41 minutes, she racked up the final two games, including two more breaks, to claim a remarkable victory.

Pegula responded, “It was a strange match for me.” I initially felt in complete control, but then I only managed to play three or three awful games.

I went from being up a set and 2-0 to being down very quickly because of that.