Australia’s Talia Gibson just keeps on winning.
This time the fast rising 21-year-old has defeated former world no. 1 and four time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.
Gibson after her stunning run in reaching the quarterfinals in Indian Wells has back that up with reaching the main draw in Miami, and is into the third round.
Osaka opening the serving and both players showed what was to come, with some powerful groundstrokes. Osaka would hold.
In the second game Gibson had to fight off several break points. The first was saved with a good first serve that forced an error on the return. An unforced error from Gibson presented her opponent with another break point.
A backhand down the line winner saved the second. A lucky net cord saw Gibson move to game point after the ball just caught the line.
The pressure was again on the Gibson serve in the fourth game when a down the line forehand for the game was missed by Gibson. An error came on the next point for deuce, but Gibson would hold.
It was in the 11th game that Gibson made her move. Osaka hit long to fall behind 0-15. A second serve was belted back by Gibson and Osaka couldn’t hand the pace. The Japanese player was suddenly down 0-30.
An Ace got her back to 15-30, but again a missed forehand would be costly. It was now 15-40.
Gibson jumped the wrong way when Osaka served down the T. It was Ace no. 7. Another second serve for Gibson to tee off on, and she took advantage, forcing an error from Osaka.
The Australian was now serving for the first set.
Gibson got off to the perfect start, a big first serve and a return that just got back over the net. Gibson would put that away for a winner.
The pressure was back on Gibson after she netted a shot for 15-30. It was worse after a net cord sent the ball wide to give Osaka two break back points.
Osaka netted the first service return and then on the next point it was a wide first served that saw Osaka said the ball up high. Gibson hit a swing volley for a winner.
Another great shot from Gibson forced an error from her opponent and then an Ace sealed the set after 48 minutes.
In the opening game of the second set, it was Gibson that jumped to a 0-40 scoreline. A second serve Ace saw Osaka save one break point, but an unforced error from Osaka saw Gibson get the early break of serve.
The world no. 68 consolidated the break to lead 2-0. Osaka would hold to 15 to get to 2-1 with Gibson serving next.
Gibson was playing at a high level as she moved to a 4-2 lead after a second serve Ace on game point.
An Osaka hold and then a Gibson hold and it was 5-3.
The 8th game saw Gibson jump out to a 40-0 lead, before back-to-back errors saw the score at 40-30. Gibson steadied the ship with a backhand winner to seal the game.
Osaka, with the crowd behind her held serve to force Gibson to serve out the match.
A rocket of a backhand from Gibson saw Osaka look on in disbelief to open the scoring. A big forehand winner on the next point and Gibson was two points from victory.
A well placed first serve that Osaka hit long and it was three match points.
A shot into the net from Gibson and it was 40-15. A missed shot from Osaka and it was 7-5, 6-4 to the Australian.
“I was able to draw on some experiences from Indian Wells to stay calm,” said Gibson. “It’s been really cool to see what I am capable of, and it’s really exciting for me.”
Next up is no. 18 seed Iva Jovic. The winner will possibly face Elena Rybakina.
Also read – Dream run comes to an end for Gibson at Indian Wells