Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep were engaging in a fierce battle for the world no.1 rank. The Romanian was extremely close to dethroning Naomi in Miami where she had to reach the final to reclaim the world no.1 rank. That didn’t happen has Simona lost in the semifinal, but the world no.2 had another chance in Stuttgart.
However, Simona had to withdraw from Stuttgart after being injured during the Fed Cup tie against France. This means that Naomi needs to win her opening match in Germany to retain her world no.1. However, she will lose the top rank after this week only if she is defeated in the opening match and Petra Kvitova wins the title. (see scenario)
I dodged the bullet. NAOMI OSAKA
During a press conference in Stuttgart, the Japanese admitted that she was feeling the pressure from the Romanian to comment
“She was getting really close. I feel like I dodged a bullet there. I don’t want to overhype myself and say, ‘I will win the tournament.’
I just want to have fun and experience the German crowd, because last time I was here, I was kind of a nobody.”
Naomi may have a tricky opening match in Stuttgart since she might face Su-Wei Hsieh that is a player that always causes problems to the Japanese.
LUCKY THIS TIME
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