I want to be like Federer and Serena Williams in this. NAOMI OSAKA

Japanese star Naomi Osaka is in good form on the Asian swing of the WTA tour. She won the China Open on Sunday, beating Ashleigh Barty in the final. The victory was her fifth singles title in her career. The 21-year-old won her first title in 2018 in the Indian Wells Open. She would win her first major title that year at the US Open against Serena Williams. The Japanese star followed up the victory by winning the Australian Open in January.

Inconsistent form after winning the Australian Open

Osaka’s victory in Australia led to her first number one ranking of her career. She has spoken about the pressure that came with the position. In a recent interview, the two-time Grand Slam champion admitted she felt compelled to win every tournament she played. The pressure may have affected her performances in Europe and at the US Open. Osaka lost in the third round at the French Open. Ashleigh Barty won the tournament and leapfrogged her at the number one position. The Japanese star also exited Wimbledon early in the fourth round. She had a slight improvement at the US Open, suffering defeat in the Round of 16.

I can be like Federer and Serena

The 21-year-old said she now understood the pressure and expectations of being the best player in tennis. She has expressed her admiration for Roger Federer and Serena Williams, the two most successful players in the sport. After her experience at the top, Osaka has spoken of the need to be as consistent as the two players. She believes that she can be as good as the two Grand Slam champions. “I know that’s crazy but I was like, you know what, if Federer can do it, I can do it. It’s not even outside pressure, just pressure from myself, and sometimes it helps me play very well.”

In the future, Osaka would like to be as dominant as Williams was in the women’s game. “OK, so you know when Serena was Number One? Basically, everyone knew that everyone else had no chance. I kind of want myself to be like that in the future.” Osaka has been in good form in Asia. On her way to victory at the China Open, she recorded victories against quality opponents. She beat Bianca Andreescu, Caroline Wozniacki, and Barty on her way to clinching to title in Beijing. The victory saw her move to the third position on the rankings.

Naomi Osaka’s ranking and performance in 2019

Ranked no.3, Osaka played her last match on the 6^th of October when she beat Ashleigh Barty 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the final in Beijing to win her 4^th career title.

This year Osaka has a 39-11 win-loss record. Naomi conquered 3 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Osaka and in Beijing.

Serena Williams’s ranking and performance in 2019

Ranked no.9, Serena Williams played her last match on the 7^th of September when she surrendered to Bianca Vanessa Andreescu 6-3 7-5 in the final in U.S. Open.

Serena Williams’s best performance of the year was reaching the final in at the U.S. Open, Toronto and in Wimbledon.

Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka.

The last time that they squared off, Serena Williams won 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Toronto in 09^th August 2019.

Here the highlights.