London, (UNI) Naomi Osaka’s much-anticipated return to Wimbledon after a five-year hiatus was abruptly cut short by a commanding second-round defeat at the hands of world number 17, Emma Navarro, here on Wednesday.
Entering Centre Court as a wild card, Osaka was buoyed by her first victory at the All England Club since 2018. Her journey back to this prestigious stage was a testament to her resilience, having battled injuries, mental health challenges, and the life-altering joy of becoming a mother to her daughter Shai. However, the four-time Grand Slam champion’s hopes of a deep run were dashed as Navarro secured a swift and decisive 6-4, 6-1 win in just 59 minutes.
Navarro, who is enjoying a stellar season, will now face Russian world number 30 Diana Shnaider, fresh off her victory at the Bad Homburg Open. The 23-year-old American’s prowess was evident from the outset, with a booming backhand winner and a pair of aces that set the tone for the match. Despite these early signs of promise from Osaka, Navarro maintained her composure and broke Osaka’s serve to love in the seventh game.
A crucial moment came when Osaka believed she had earned a break point, only to have Navarro successfully challenge a call on the left sideline, allowing the American to clinch the opening set in just 30 minutes.
Navarro, who had never previously won a main draw match at SW19, began to assert her dominance, outmaneuvering Osaka with powerful groundstrokes and a stunning drop shot that left the fans in awe. Osaka’s game was marred by unforced errors and a critical baseline challenge that further tilted the match in Navarro’s favor.
The second set was a formality, as Navarro raced to a 4-0 lead, then 5-1, before taking advantage on her first of three match points to secure her place in the next round. This victory not only marked a significant milestone for Navarro but also highlighted Osaka’s ongoing struggle to regain her former dominance on the court.
