Japan's Naomi Osaka Loses Against Czech Republic's Vondrousova in Straight Sets, Exits Tokyo Games
After losing in straight sets against Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova, the host country's biggest name, Naomi Osaka, exited the Tokyo Olympics in the third round of the women's singles tennis competition, 6-1, 6-4, Tuesday.
According to NPR, the world-ranked no. 2 women's tennis player Naomi Osaka lost in straight sets against the current world-ranked no. 41 from the Czech Republic. The loss was a major upset for the host country and shocked the locals. The four-time Grand Slam singles champion and the reigning champion at the U.S. Open and the Australian Open, Osaka was considered by the media as the face of the Tokyo Olympics 2020. That is why many fans were shocked about the exit in the third round.
During the Olympic opening ceremony a few days ago, the 23-year-old tennis star lit the cauldron, cementing her legacy as one of Japan's biggest names in sports history.
Despite stellar performances in the first and second rounds of the tournament, Osaka struggled against the 22-year-old Czech. Vondrousova revolutionized her game in the third round of the tournament, beating Osaka 6-1, 6-4. The Japanese star committed 32 unforced errors which were very unlikely. The world-ranked no. 2 only won 49% of her points when serving.
Meanwhile, after a difficult couple of months for the Japanese player, Osaka came to the Olympics refreshed and happy based on her own words. Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open after she announced that she would not participate in any press conferences related to the tournament. Osaka, later on, revealed that she'd been dealing with depression and anxiety, and also decided to skip Wimbledon to focus on her health and wellness.
ALSO READ: Team USA Climbs Back to Leaderboards on Day 2 of Tokyo Olympics After Medal-Less Opening Day
World-Ranked No.1 Falls
The top two women's tennis players have now lost at the Olympics after Osaka followed world top-ranked Ash Barty of Australia, who lost in straight sets in the tournament opener.
It was a stunning upset for the world's top-ranked female tennis player as Barty was a favorite to win gold in the women's singles tennis event at the Tokyo Games.
However, underdog Spanish contender, Sara Sorribes Tormo had beaten her in straight sets in the first round of the Olympic competition.
Despite winning Wimbledon two weeks ago, Barty lost to the 24-year-old Spanish, Sorribes Tormo, who is currently ranked 48th in the world by the WTA Tour. The Spanish contender defeated Barty 6-4, 6-3 to go on to the next round of the Tokyo Games.
Meanwhile, even Barty was eliminated from the singles tournament, the 25-year-old top-ranked Australian still has a chance of finishing the Tokyo Games with a medal. Barty is also competing in women's doubles alongside Storm Sanders.
RELATED ARTICLE: Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open To Focus On Her Well-Being; Fined After Avoiding Media Obligations
This article is owned by Latin Post
Written by Jess Smith
WATCH: Naomi Osaka Faces Shock Exit In Round 3 - NNIS Sports News
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