Osaka hails Kostyuk win as one of her best of 2024 so far

Naomi Osaka doesn’t expect to hit top form until the hardcourt season hits later this summer but the former world No 1 was delighted with her performance at the Italian Open on Thursday as she beat Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round.

The Japanese said she woke up feeling “peaceful” on the morning of the match and maintained that serene attitude through a rain delay and into her battle with the in-form Kostyuk, recording what is her first win on the surface over a top-20 player.

“I think normally it would have been difficult for me to keep focused, but I was just reading my notes and stuff,” Osaka said. “I think it kind of kept my head very locked in the game.

“In terms of performance, I would say it’s one of my top two matches (this year). I can’t tell if my Svitolina match (in Dubai) was better. But I think in terms of execution I really came out here with a plan today and I was able to do well. On top of it, it’s clay court, which isn’t my most result-wise best surface.”

“Still a baby giraffe on clay”

Clay remains the most difficult surface for Osaka, who now takes on Daria Kasatkina in the third round.

“I’m going into this match knowing that she has way more experience than me on clay,” Osaka said. “I feel like I’m still a baby giraffe, like I’m trying to learn my steps. I’m just extremely humble. I want to learn from the match I played today and hopefully apply that.

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