Japanese star Naomi Osaka expressed her delight when talking about playing in the Miami Open 2021. The recently concluded Australian Open champion said it’s “special” to play in the Florida event.
The WTA world number two reached the Miami Open quarter final after beating Belgian Elise Mertens by straight sets. Naomi beat the world number 17 by 6-3, 6-3 margin.
Japan’s Naomi Osaka poses with the 2021 Australian Open winner’s trophy at the Government House in Melbourne on February 21, 2021, following her victory over Jennifer Brady of the US in the women’s singles final of the tennis tournament. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
The four time Grand Slam winner conveyed in a post match press conference, “It feels really exciting. As a kid, I grew up watching players play here. It definitely feels very special.”
First quarterfinal in Miami ✨@naomiosaka extends her match winning streak to 23 with a straight-sets win over Mertens, 6-3, 6-3.#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/UoWOTuNrTY
— wta (@WTA) March 29, 2021
Naomi Osaka is one of the favourite to win this coveted championship
The in-form Japanese took the Miami Open by storm, registering her 23rd consecutive wins in all WTA competitions.
Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium during Day 5 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium on March 22, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The Japanese further asserted on this, “This is one of my favourite tournaments to play, and of course I’m sad I hadn’t been able to get to the second week the last times that I have played this tournament. But I’m here now, and hopefully it will go well this time.”
Naomi Osaka of Japan returns a shot during her women’s singles fourth round match against Elise Mertens of Belgium on Day 8 of the 2021 Miami Open presented by Itaú at Hard Rock Stadium on March 29, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Osaka played in the Florida event four times, making two second round appearances and two third round exits. This is the first time the 23-year-old will be playing in the Quarter Final. Naomi will now look for her first semi final in the competition when she faces the Greek star, Maria Sakkari in the Quarter Final match on Wednesday.
