{"id":18282,"date":"2022-04-01T08:33:05","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T08:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2022\/04\/01\/naomi-osaka-reaches-first-tennis-final-since-2021\/"},"modified":"2022-04-01T08:33:05","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T08:33:05","slug":"naomi-osaka-reaches-first-tennis-final-since-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2022\/04\/01\/naomi-osaka-reaches-first-tennis-final-since-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Naomi Osaka reaches first tennis final since 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

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(CNN)<\/cite>Naomi Osaka advanced to the Miami Open final after beating Belinda Bencic in a comeback win on Thursday. <\/p>\n

The four-time Grand Slam champion will now play new world No. 1 Iga Swiatek for the title in Osaka’s first final since last year’s Australian Open. <\/p>\n
Osaka, who has been struggling for form since her hiatus from the sport, bounced back from defeat to beat her Swiss opponent 4-6 6-3 6-4 in an entertaining semifinal. <\/p>\n
“[I was]just struggling with my inner thoughts, trying to know that I have to play point at a time and adjust when I have to, but try not to overwhelm myself with my thoughts,” she told reporters. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like if I had been negative for a split second I would have lost the match today.<\/p>\n
“I need to keep pumping myself up and I haven’t played as many games as a lot of these other players so I just need to keep learning.”<\/p>\n
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READ: <\/strong>Gifted and at the top of her game, Ashleigh Barty shocks the sporting world with her retirement<\/p>\n
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‘So grateful’<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
At Indian Wells last month, Osaka was molested by a spectator at the start of their second-round match against Veronika Kudermetova. <\/p>\n
The spectator seemed to scream, “Naomi, you shit!” and Osaka looked shaken, losing the first set 6-0 and finally losing the match in straight sets.<\/p>\n
Osaka has since confirmed that she has started seeing a therapist to address her mental health after revealing she had been suffering from depression last year.<\/p>\n
But it seems Osaka is now getting back to her best tennis and has a chance to win another title against an unfamiliar opponent.<\/p>\n
The pair have only met once so far, with Osaka winning in straight sets in 2019. However, Swiatek will be No. 1 in the women’s world on Monday as she looks to continue her 16-game winning streak. <\/p>\n
The final takes place on Saturday and Osaka is looking forward to getting back on the pitch. <\/p>\n
“You know what’s going on, but I’m so grateful right now,” she said tweeted<\/a>. “Cheers to the ups and downs of life that make me appreciate this moment even more. <\/p>\n
“We’re back in a final, see you on Saturday.”<\/p>\n

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