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Naomi Osaka’s return to the tennis court has been cut short.
In the third round of the Australian Open early Friday morning, the defending champion was stunned by 20-year-old Amanda Anisimova in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Anisimova saved two match points in the third set before earning the win in the tiebreaker.
“I knew I had to be playing sharp if I wanted to give myself a chance,” said Anisimova, via ESPN.com.
The big win over Osaka was the latest feather in Anisimova’s cap during her impressive run to start the 2022 season. In the prior round, the 20-year-old beat defending Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
Up next for Anisimova is another tough test against world No 1 Ashleigh Barty in the fourth round.
