Former world No 1 Naomi Osaka suffered a surprising defeat at the 's-Hertogenbosch grass-court tournament, ending her encouraging run on the surface ahead of Wimbledon. Canadian Bianca Andreescu, ranked 228th in the world, clinched a hard-fought victory over the four-time Grand Slam champion in a deciding tie-break thriller, securing her spot in the semifinals.
Andreescu's battling performance earned her a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) victory, setting up a semifinal clash against Dalma Galfi from Hungary. The defeat of top seed Jessica Pegula opened up the draw, offering an opportunity for both players to advance further in the tournament.
Reflecting on her win, Andreescu highlighted the importance of staying mentally tough and focusing on the present moment. The match saw two lengthy rain breaks, affecting the players' consistency, but Andreescu managed to maintain her composure and capitalize on key moments.
The match was closely contested throughout, with both players showcasing their strengths and battling for control. Osaka fought back in the second set after dropping the first, but Andreescu's resilience and shot-making ability kept her in contention. Despite Osaka's efforts, Andreescu held her nerve in the final set tie-break, securing the victory with Osaka making several unforced errors.
Osaka's grass-court performances have historically been inconsistent, but her recent form suggests she could be a contender at Wimbledon this year. Despite the loss, her return to competitive tennis after giving birth has shown promising signs, including a tough match against eventual French Open winner Iga Swiatek in the second round.
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