The shot was close, but Diane Parry (world number 53) failed to bring down Naomi Osaka (number 113) in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday. She often derailed her, particularly with her forehand, but the Japanese managed to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the final set, before winning 6-1, 1-6, 6-4, in 1h31. It is her first success on the grass at Wimbledon since 2018.
After 22 minutes, the match seemed almost over. Imperial for four games, where she had stunned the Frenchwoman with winners, Osaka led 6-1. But a big loss of concentration, associated with a subtle mix of sliced backhands and forehand slaps from her rival, made her lose the lead. She thus gave up the second set 6 games to 1, before finding herself trailing 3-1 in the last. During these four games, she had committed eleven unforced errors.
The Japanese seemed adrift but a good service game brought her back to 2-3. She had done the hardest part. Not efficient enough on serve, Parry gave up her break lead, before collapsing completely in the final game, where she committed three double faults. Osaka did not ask for more. In the next round, the four-time Grand Slam champion will face Emma Navarro (world number 17) or Qiang Wang (479).
