Naomi Osaka picked up Japan’s first win of the United Cup after defeating Katie Swan of Great Britain in Perth.
Following a 3-0 sweep defeat to Greece on the opening day of the international event, Osaka finally clinched a victory for her country, beating Swan in straight sets, 7-6, 6-1.
The four-time major champion fell to Maria Sakkari in her first match at the United Cup on Friday, losing 6-4, 6-2.
Osaka revealed she had been battling with an illness during her match with Sakkari, which she was still dealing with against Swan.
Naomi Osaka gives an update on her fitness at the United Cup
In her post-match press conference, Osaka was asked if she was feeling better during her clash with the Briton.
She responded: “Yeah, I mean, I definitely do feel better every day. But it’s ironic, literally every time someone asks me, I say yes, then I start coughing.
“I’m just not going to jinx myself. Yeah, I definitely… I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going on with the cough.
“I think it will be fine for Australian Open,” added Osaka, who has won two of her tour major crowns in Melbourne.
Which country do you think will win the United Cup?
Naomi Osaka said she has high hopes for the Australian Open
Osaka’s 2025 season ended earlier than she had hoped due to an injury she sustained at the Japan Open.
“It was definitely really tough,” she said of the setback. “I don’t know, I feel like everything happens for a reason. I think for me, it kind of allowed me to, like, regroup.
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
“Obviously, Japan, both Osaka and Toray were really important to me. When I couldn’t play those, it was definitely devastating. I just had to take the good, which was doing well in the US Open.
“I have high hopes for myself, obviously, in Melbourne. But I can only take it one day at a time and one match at a time. That’s what I’m attempting to do now.”
Osaka exited the Australian Open in the third round last year after being forced to retire from her match with Belinda Bencic due to injury.
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