Karolina Pliskova jolts Naomi Osaka

Tokyo: Former world number one Karolina Pliskova utilised her big serve to full effect to ease to a 6-4, 6-4 victory over home favourite and US Open champion Naomi Osaka in the Pan Pacific Open final here on Sunday.

Osaka, supremely confident and in top form coming into the contest on the back of 10 consecutive wins, appeared uncertain throughout the match as her Czech opponent broke serve once in each set to triumph in 64 minutes.

Prior to the final, Pliskova had spent 419 minutes on court, which was more than any other player and almost twice as long as Osaka. 

The Japanese player soon wilted and was unable to match the brilliance that secured her a first Grand Slam title.

Pliskova, meanwhile, was more than happy to take advantage of Osaka’s sloppiness.

“It was important for me to play just two sets and not go to a third one. I needed a match like this,” the 26-year-old world number eight told reporters.