Annabel Croft thinks there’s an area of Naomi Osaka’s game which is seriously ‘underrated’

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Annabel Croft pinpointed an area of Naomi Osaka’s game that she thinks is underrated.

The Japanese player has been working very hard to try and rediscover her best tennis since returning to the WTA Tour in January after a 16-month absence.

It has been a struggle for the 26-year-old, who has reached as far as the quarter-finals at just two tournaments this season.

But Osaka produced one of best performances of the year on Friday as she came from behind to defeat Yulia Putintseva to reach the China Open third round.

What aspect of Naomi Osaka’s game does Annabel Croft think is underrated?

Naomi Osaka is a very dangerous player who is lethal off the forehand and backhand side when in form.

Furthermore, she has the ability to take control of points very early in rallies and strike winners from almost anywhere on court.

These aspects of Osaka’s game tend to receive plenty of praise but while commentating on her match, Annabel Croft thinks the serve is a weapon of the four-time Grand Slam champion possesses that does not get the same attention.

“It’s a very underrated serve, the Osaka serve,” Croft said during Sky Sports’ live broadcast of Osaka’s match.

“It’s certainly got some power, it’s got swing on it and she plays it with a forehand grip which is usual and she manages to pronate that wrist and gets a lot of swing on the ball.”

Naomi Osaka reaches round three at the China Open with comeback win

Osaka faced a tricky opponent in Putintseva, who has had a solid 2024 and achieved her best result at the Wimbledon Championships in July.

The Kazak player took the first set against Osaka, who struggled for consistency and committed multiple unforced errors. But she hit her stride in the second set and broke at 4-4 before serving out the set and levelling the match.

Osaka cleared up her baseline game and overwhelmed Putintseva with her power and precision. She opened up a 3-0 lead in set three and remained in front, before closing out a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 46 minutes.

“Absolutely zero expectations, just playing one match at a time,” said Osaka, who plays Katie Volynets next. “I’m really grateful to be here and I hope that I’m able to win a lot more matches and play in front of you guys some more.”