Osaka splits with coach, again
RESHUFFLE Months after parting ways with Sascha Bajin, Japanese star says Jermaine Jenkins is no longer her coach
TOKYO: Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka announced on Friday she was splitting with her coach, her second break-up this year as she battles for form and slips down the world rankings.
On the eve of the Pan Pacific Open tournament in Osaka, western Japan, the 21-year-old announced she would no longer be working with Jermaine Jenkins, who joined her team after her triumph at the Australian Open in January.
“Writing this to let you guys know that me and Jay won’t be working together anymore,” Osaka tweeted.
“I’m super grateful for the time we spent together and the things I learned on and off the court but I feel like now is a (sic) appropriate time for a change... Thank you for everything, it was a blast,” added Osaka.
Osaka had already caught the tennis world by surprise when she announced she was parting ways with coach Sascha Bajin, who had overseen her stunning rise to win two grand slams—the US Open in 2018 and the Australian Open title in January.
“Hey everyone, I will no longer be working together with Sascha. I thank him for his work and wish him all the best in the future,” Osaka had announced on social media at the time.
“Thank you Naomi. I wish you nothing but the best as well. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this,” Bajin had responded.
Osaka didn’t reveal the reason behind the split but Bajin later acknowledged there were differences between the two.
“Look, to be honest, there were some differences. It was her decision. I respect that. No matter what. If there was a success or not success whatever the case if she feels like it’s better to go then that’s her decision,” Bajin was later quoted as saying by Yahoo.
But Osaka’s results since Melbourne have been patchy. She lost in the third round of the French Open to Katerina Siniakova from the Czech Republic, ranked 41 places below her in the world rankings.
She then suffered a humiliating first-round exit at Wimbledon to Yulia Putintseva from Kazakhstan before crashing out of this month’s US Open in the pre-quarterfinals to Swiss player Belinda Bencic.
Her form outside the slams has hardly been better, losing two quarter-finals during the US hard-court season that has seen her slip from the number one position in the world rankings to number four in the latest list.
The split with Jenkins came as Osaka returned home for the Pan Pacific Open where she reached the final last year.
Her main challengers in the event will be fellow top-10 players Kiki Bertens and US sensation Sloane Stephens.
Angelique Kerber, who beat her in the first round in 2017, is also in the draw for the competition that runs between September 16 and 22.
ANDREESCU AMONG TRIO TO PULL OUT
OSAKA:US Open champion Bianca Andreescu has withdrawn from next week’s Pan Pacific Open in Osaka with a right leg injury, the 19-year-old Canadian said on Friday.
World number five Andreescu was joined in pulling out of the tournament by French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova, who is battling a left wrist injury, and Flushing Meadows semi-finalist Belinda Bencic, who has a left foot problem.
“I’m sorry to have to miss the Toray Pan Pacific Open this year,” Andreescu, who claimed her maiden Grand Slam by defeating Serena Williams in the US Open final last week in New York, told the WTA website.
“I know it’s the biggest women’s tennis event in Japan and one I look forward to playing in future. Hope to see you all soon.”
As a result of the pullouts, American Alison Riske, Kazakhstan’s Putintseva and Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig will move into the main draw of the Sept. 16-22 tournament.
ORGANISERS POSTPONE HONG KONG EVENT
HONGKONG: Hong Kong’s premier women’s tennis event scheduled for October has been postponed due to the pro-democracy protests, organisers announced on Friday.
The city is witnessing a fourth month of sometimes violent protests sparked by a bill that would have drawn the former British colony closer to the Chinese legal system.
The bill was withdrawn last week, but the protests are continuing.
The organisers said they are in active discussions with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the women’s tour governing body, to identify an alternate week for hosting the event.
“In light of the present situation, Hong Kong Tennis Association and the WTA are announcing a postponement of the 2019 Hong Kong Tennis Open. The event will no longer take place during 5-13 October,” organisers said in a statement.
Former women’s top-ranked players such as Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber have participated in previous years in the event, which forms part of the WTA International series.
“The Open is the flagship event on our annual calendar and one of the most popular international sporting events in the city, attracting thousands of local fans and overseas travellers every year.
“However, after extensive discussions with our key stakeholders, we conclude that a smooth running of the tournament can be better assured at a later time,” the organisers said.
NAO HIBINO BEATS TOP-SEEDED HSIEH
HIROSHIMA: Nao Hibino advanced to the semi-finals of the Japan Women’s Open by beating topseeded Hsieh Su-wei 6-4, 6-3 on Friday.
Making her first appearance in the quarterfinals in her seventh consecutive appearance at the event, Hibino broke her opponent’s serve five times, hitting 25 winners to 27 unforced errors.
The 24-year-old Japanese player saved both break points she faced in the final game of the first set.
Also, Misaki Doi defeated seventh-seeded Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5, 6-1.