World number one Naomi Osaka has hit back at her critics after fighting to a dramatic comeback win over Donna Vekic to reach her first career clay court semi-final in Stuttgart on Friday.
The 21-year-old Japanese battled back from 1-5 down in the final set to beat Vekic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) but denied that she was struggling this year.
“I don’t know why people are saying I am having a bad season,” she said. “I won the Australian Open, right?”
Despite securing her second Grand Slam title in Melbourne, Osaka had not reached a semi-final since then before her thrilling fightback in Stuttgart, having suffered early exits in Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami.
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She admitted that the defeats, and the pressure of being number one, had affected her.
“I would be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. You can tell because I get antsy on the court, whereas before if I made a mistake, I would just act on it.”
“When I am at my best, I wake up wanting a new challenge. In this phase, I felt like I was waking up just wanting to win.”
Osaka said that she had tried to “think logically” when she found herself on the brink of defeat in Friday’s quarter-final.
“I try not to panic anymore because that costs energy,” she said.
“I just told myself I didn’t want to come away from here with any regrets.”
In Saturday’s semi-final, Osaka will face either Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit or former world number one and two-time major winner Victoria Azarenka.
Osaka cannot lose her number one spot in Stuttgart, but she will be looking to keep a healthy points lead over world number three Petra Kvitova, who also won her quarter-final on Friday.
Kvitova overcame a rocky start to beat Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
“It was really difficult today, but I am very happy to be in the semi-final. I feel good and healthy,” said Kvitova.
In the semi-final, the Czech will face Dutch sixth seed Kiki Bertens, who beat home favourite and reigning Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-4.
AFP