Pliskova stops Osaka’s run in Tokyo final

Karolina Pliskova enjoyed a much-needed confidence boost with victory at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Sunday.

The Czech stopped reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka – a player not short on confidence herself – 6-4 6-4 to capture her second title of the season after triumphing in Stuttgart in April.

The victory pushes Pliskova up the rankings to No.7 and increases her chances of qualifying for the WTA Finals in Singapore; currently in ninth position, she vaults ahead of eighth-placed Kiki Bertens.

A perfect way to end for the Ace Queen!@KaPliskova overcomes Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-4 to claim her first @torayppo title. pic.twitter.com/M4K0NYpVvB

— WTA (@WTA) September 23, 2018

Bertens plays in the Seoul final later today, but even winning the title won’t give her enough points to retake her lead over Pliskova.

Until the final, Pliskova struggled this week in Tokyo.

She trailed Daria Gavrilova 4-1 in the final set of their second-round match, stared down match points in the quarterfinals against qualifier Alison Riske, and was stretched to three sets in the semis by unseeded Donna Vekic.

And she had failed to properly fire on court since Wimbledon; she fell early in all three of her US Open tune-up events and despite a run to the quarterfinals in New York, she was thoroughly outplayed by Serena Williams.

Yet after having earned her place in the title match in Tokyo, she came alive on Sunday.

Huge win for Karolina Pliskova. Gets her 1st hardcourt title since 2017 Doha, ends Naomi Osaka’s 10-match win streak with a great serving performance. Wins 64 64 to win @torayppo.

Big week for her Singapore chances.

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 23, 2018

“Congrats, Naomi, on having an incredible few weeks,” Pliskova said during the trophy presentation.

“I had a lot of fun this week. I’ve been coming to Japan for a few years in a row already so hopefully I’ll be back next year for sure.

“Thanks to my Dad – we have second title this year (together). (He’s) my coach, he’s travelling just sometimes, and it’s always best with Dad. Thanks to my (other) coaches Rennae (Stubbs) and Conchi (Conchita Martinez).”

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In a match between two of the game’s biggest servers, Pliskova did not face a break point. And while Osaka only gave Pliskova two looks at break points in the entire match, the Czech converted them both.

Well down her service statistics in 2018 compared with previous seasons, Pliskova’s delivery was back to its very best against the Japanese star, who was enjoying a 10-match winning streak coming into the final.

Pliskova landed 81 per cent of her first serves, slammed six aces and won more than 70 per cent of points behind both her first and second serves.

Osaka, not used to having a match taken out of her hands, admitted to struggling during a time-out with coach Sascha Bajin.

"I feel like I'm having a mid-life crisis. I'm so stressed out right now." ~Osaka

— ???????????????????? ????????????????? (@DKTNNS) September 23, 2018

Somewhat appropriately, Pliskova ended the match with an ace.

A visibly disappointed Osaka kept her trophy presentation speech very short.

“Thank for watching the match,” said the 20-year-old after falling in her second Tokyo final in the past three years, “and thank you for coming out.”