Naomi Osaka says she trusts Patrick Mouratoglou and credits his mid-match advice for a win that sealed her first WTA quarterfinal ticket since June.
After starting her season with a straight-set win over Lina Glushko, the former world No. 1 also saw off Julia Grabher 7-5 6-4 in the Auckland round-of-16.
Although Osaka was the heavy favorite against the world No. 470, it turned out to be a tricky matchup and the Austrian even had some break points late in the first set – which could have landed her the opener.
But Mouratoglou – who worked with Serena Williams for a decade – noticed what needed to be adjusted.
And when his message got to the Japanese, she settled and went on to get the job done in two sets.
Osaka on Mouratoglou: I trust him a lot
“I think for me it’s about trust. I don’t really talk too much when I first meet a person, but obviously as the weeks and the days and the matches go by, we talk more and more and we build a better relationship,” the 27-year-old said.
“So during the, not changeover, but during the little rain delay, he just had two points for me that were very clear, and I was really grateful for that, because it wasn’t like he gave me a whole spiel on what to do. I definitely do trust him a lot.”
Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou© ASB Classic/Instagram – Fair Use
When Osaka and Mouratoglou officially kicked off their partnership in October, the four-time Grand Slam champion said one of her early goals was to win a WTA title.
Now that she is through to the Auckland quarterfinal, she is three wins away from collecting her first title since the 2021 Australian Open.
On Friday, the former world No. 1 will have another favorable matchup in Auckland since she plays against world No. 92 Hailey Baptiste.
Tennis World USA