Naomi Osaka’s return struck another stumbling hurdle when she lost 7-5, 6-0 to former world number seven Danielle Collins in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open on Tuesday.
Osaka, 26, returned to the tour last month after a 15-month layoff, during which she gave birth to her first child, Shai, but has been dealt some difficult draws and has lost three of her four matches this season.
Despite a competitive first set featuring outstanding serving from both players, Osaka struggled in her service games in the second set and failed to convert any of her six break point opportunities, losing to the American qualifier in one hour and 23 minutes.
“I understand she’s only a couple of matches into her comeback. But I believe she is playing well,” added Collins, who is now ranked 71 in the world.
“She played a good first set, serving well and doing some really great things on the court.” I’m sure at this point it’s just a matter of recovering confidence, playing more matches, and getting back into the tournament routine, which can be difficult. However, I think she played well overall.
Japan’s Osaka had won her first three meetings with Collins, but had lost their most recent meeting in Abu Dhabi, a straight-set loss to the American in the first round of the 2022 US Open.
In windy circumstances in the UAE capital, neither player struggled on serve early on, with the first deuce of the match occurring in the tenth game when Collins served to stay in the set, but the American held for 5-5.
Collins created the match’s first break point opportunities in game 11 and converted her second to pull ahead 6-5.
Despite a few of double faults, Collins closed out the frame on her fourth set point, taking the lead in 54 minutes.
Next up Rybakina
In the first set, each player dropped only two points behind their first serve, but Collins took advantage of her opportunities, and with the wind in her sails, the former Australian Open finalist quickly led Osaka 5-0 in the second set.
Osaka sought to close the gap, but Collins saved all six break points on her way to a second-round match against top seed Elena Rybakina.
Osaka will return to the court in Abu Dhabi later on Tuesday to face Tunisian Ons Jabeur and Chinese combo Zheng Saisai and Wang Xinyu.
Collins, 30, has indicated that this will be her final season on tour, and she has already faced some difficult draws in the first five weeks of 2024.
At the Australian Open, she defeated three-time major winner Angelique Kerber before losing to world number one Iga Swiatek in the second round.
In Abu Dhabi, she will face two more grand slam champions: Osaka and Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner.
Collins stated that her decision to retire at the end of this season was motivated by a desire to live a regular life away from the continual travel and everyday grind of touring.
“At this moment, I feel like I’m prepared for the next chapter, and I’m quite excited about it. I wanted an end date, and this allows my family and friends to come support me in some last tournaments. “I think that will be very special,” said the Florida athlete.