Naomi Osaka experienced a defeat in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open against Danielle Collins following a late collapse in the initial set that completely altered the momentum of the match.
At the beginning of the game, there was not much that distinguished four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka from 2021 Australian Open finalist Collins. However, Collins went on to win the final nine games, securing a 7-5 6-0 victory over Osaka and earning a spot in the round-of-16 where she will face Elena Rybakina.
Osaka, who had previously achieved a 1-2 record in her first two tournaments after returning from pregnancy in Australia, was dissatisfied with her results. Hoping for a comeback in the United Arab Emirates, she accepted a wildcard entry into the Abu Dhabi tournament. Unfortunately, Osaka not only failed to perform well in Abu Dhabi, but she also suffered a highly disappointing and frustrating loss.
Throughout the first 10 games of the match, neither player managed to break their opponent’s serve. However, Osaka missed out on two game points in the 11th game, allowing Collins to break her and take a 6-5 lead. In the subsequent game, Osaka put up a strong fight but was unable to regain the break as Collins seized her fourth set point and successfully served out the first set.
Following a rather brutal loss in the first set, Osaka was broken to love in the opening game of the second set. Despite having an opportunity to immediately break back in the following game, Osaka failed to convert any of her three break point chances.
After her unsuccessful attempt to regain the break, Osaka once again lost her serve as Collins took a commanding 3-0 lead in the second set. Trailing by a set and two breaks, Osaka had a prime opportunity to at least recover one break, but she squandered three consecutive break point opportunities in the fourth game as Collins navigated a challenging situation and extended her lead to 4-0.
From that point onwards, Osaka had no chance of a comeback. She lost her serve once more in the fifth game, ultimately leading to Collins ending the match in the sixth game.
Despite winning their first three encounters, Osaka has now suffered defeat in their last two matches against Collins.