Naomi Osaka states her main goal for the rest of the season after winning her first match in Beijing

The former world number one struggled in the second set, but recovered to secure the win and her place in the third round, where she will meet Czechia’s Sara Bejlek. After the match, Osaka shared her goals for the rest of the season, during which she will play several events on her home continent.

Naomi Osaka wants to improve her seeding for next year’s Australian Open

“I mean, for me, this is the Asian Swing. It’s kind of like my home swing. Well, I kind of refer to everything as my home swing. You know, I love to be here. I won this tournament before. I’m ending in Tokyo. That I also consider my home,” said Osaka during her post-match press conference.

Who do you think will win the women’s singles title at the China Open this year?

“I just want to, like, do well and hopefully have an opportunity to be higher-seeded going into Australia. I’m definitely going to try my best and just see what happens.”

Osaka sits 17th in the ‘Live WTA Rankings’ and was seeded 13th at the last Grand Slam, the US Open. To avoid playing a top player in the fourth round like she did in New York (Rybakina), Osaka would need to climb into the top eight.

She currently trails world number eight Karolina Muchova by 2,327 points. She is unlikely to overtake Muchova by the end of the year, but she could close the gap by winning one of the two WTA 1000 events in China.

Live WTA Rankings

Osaka made a strong start by winning her opening match in Beijing, even though she struggled at times against the 22-year-old, especially in the second set, which she lost 3-6. One reporter asked Osaka about that set, questioning whether it was her level dipping or Timofeeva’s improving that caused the swing in momentum.

“It’s hard to say. I’m the type of player who always thinks it’s about me. I should have served a lot better. I also think I gave her the opportunity to be aggressive. Probably if you ask her, it would be a different story. I really think it depends on how we’re all internally feeling,” said Osaka.

Osaka will need to improve if she is to win the title in Beijing. She’ll play Bejlek in the third round, before potentially meeting Karolina Muchova or Liudmila Samsonova in the last 16, and Sinja Kraus, Dayana Yastremska, Nikola Bartunkova, or Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.

Naomi Osaka shares how her mindset has changed since she won four Grand Slams earlier in her career

The 28-year-old was also asked to comment on her mindset, having previously spoken about her mental health struggles. Osaka explained how her attitude has changed since winning Grand Slams when she was younger.

Naomi Osaka’s Grand Slam titles (4)

• 2018 US Open
• 2019 Australian Open
• 2020 US Open
• 2021 Australian Open

“I mean, I think it’s all about mindset. I feel like I’m definitely happier now. It’s because, like, tennis isn’t my entire life. I’ve managed to build a life outside of that. My daughter’s a huge part of it,” she said.

“I feel like it’s also a part of growing up. I think I was very sheltered as a kid. I literally ate, slept, and breathed for tennis. Now it’s just like growing up, being grateful to be able to play the sport, but understanding that nothing lasts forever. I’m just trying to do the best with the time that I have.”

Osaka, 28, won her last Grand Slam at 23. She won more matches at majors this year than she had since 2019, but Osaka failed to add to her Grand Slam tally. Only time will tell if she can win her fifth title in 2027. Next year’s Australian Open begins on January 11.

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