Naomi Osaka was almost certain to lose her world no.1 rank ahead of her title defense at the US Open. The Japanese started as world no.4 in the live rankings as soon as the last slam of the year started. Eventually, Simona Halep crashed out as yearly as in the 2nd round to Taylor Townsend and now it is Ashleigh Barty to lose 6-2 6-4 to a surprising Qianq Wang.
Live rankings
Currently, Barty is still leading the live rankings with 6501 points. The world no.2 in the live rankings is now Karolina Pliskova with 6125 points followed by Naomi with 4846 points. Therefore, in order to stay no.1, Naomi needs to defend her US Open title (6606 points) and Pliskova should not reach the semifinal (she would get 6665 points).
Projected paths
Naomi will face Belinda Bencic in the 4th round and then she is projected to face either Vekic or Goerges in the quarters, Andreescu in the semifinal and either Serena or Pliskova in the final.
Pliskova will face Johanna Konta in the 4th round and then probably Svitolina, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka in a hypothetical final.
Osaka at the U.S. Open ranking, and results in 2019
Currently ranked no.1, the Japanese has a 29-10 win-loss record in 2019. Naomi is playing at the moment at the U.S. Open where she bested Anna Blinkova 6-4 6-75 6-2, Magda Linette 6-2 6-4 and Cori Gauff 6-3 6-0.
The Japanese will square off with Bencic in the 4th round. The head to head is 2-0 for Bencic.
The last time that they squared off, Bencic won 3-6 6-2 7-5 in the quarter in Madrid on the 9th of May 2019.
Naomi clinched 1 title 2019 in at the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka |
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