Naomi Osaka’s return to the WTA tour since last May has come to an early end as she suffered defeat to world number 76 Jil Teichmann in the Round of 16 (third-round) of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Thursday.
Teichmann take down 👊
Wild card @jilteichmann earns the third Top 5 victory of her career with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 upset of No.2 seed Naomi Osaka. #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/DVvmCxHIHx
— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) August 20, 2021
The world number 2 Osaka displayed an error-prone performance in a huge underdog victory from Teichmann who now advances to the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open in a stunning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.
The four-time grand slam champion cruised through the first set as expected winning it 3-6 in favour of her. Teichmann who entered the Western & Southern Open as a wildcard had levelled the score by winning the second set 6-3, making it a set victory for each competitor before heading into the third and final set.
During the fourth game in the second set, the pressure had gotten to Osaka when she was seen missing back-to-back overhead smashes which led her to scream in agony. The miscues continued for the Japanese international (Naomi Osaka) who recorded her 41st unforced error on match point when led to the Swiss international (Jil Teichmann) to take the third set.
Jil Teichmann makes good on her wildcard, puts in a top-notch performance to defeat Naomi Osaka 36 63 63. Strong effort from the Swiss to slam the door down the stretch.
2nd Top 5 win of her injury-addled season.
“Literally, I’m shaking right now."#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/cXdjDtyeBD
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 20, 2021
“I’m shaking right now,” said Teichmann as reported by Reuters
“She’s a very tough opponent, a Grand Slam champion, and I’m the underdog, which is a bit easier. But you’ve got to start somewhere,” she added.
The win against Osaka makes it Teichmann’s third Top 5 victory as she advances to the quarter-finals with her biggest career win to date. Osaka will look to bounce back from this defeat ahead of the upcoming U.S. Open which she has won twice in her career.
