Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki continued her late-summer resurgence in magnificent style, overcoming young Japanese powerhouse Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 to claim her first title in 18 months and second at the Toray Pan Pacific Open (her first coming a little under six years ago).

Wozniacki Overcomes Injury, Osaka to Draw First Blood

After an exchange of holds to open proceedings on a beautiful day at the Ariake Colosseum, it was Osaka, willed on by her adoring home crowd, who struck first, claiming the early break with a thumping backhand return winner down the line. Having served exceptionally well all week, the Japanese youngster wasted no time in consolidating the break before Wozniacki restored order, responding with a hold of her own before coming through in an extended sixth game to draw level at three-games-apiece.

Caroline Wozniacki hits a backhand against Naomi Osaka during the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images
Caroline Wozniacki hits a backhand against Naomi Osaka during the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

However, Osaka, playing in her WTA final, remained incredibly composed, while it was Wozniacki who was beginning to come undone after getting back on level terms. Continuing to fearlessly thump her groundstrokes and rush the Dane for time, the 19-year-old’s persistence was finally rewarded with a second break of serve to take a 4-3 lead as Wozniacki’s forehand drifted wide.

After a slight interruption in play at the change of ends, where Wozniacki took a medical timeout to attend to a left leg injury, the former world number one began to shift the momentum back in her favour, claiming the third break in a row to get back on level terms. Soon thereafter, the Dane mustered a much-needed hold of serve to edge her nose back in front, moments before Osaka repeated the dose herself.

Naomi Osaka hits a backhand against Caroline Wozniacki during the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images
Naomi Osaka hits a backhand against Caroline Wozniacki during the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images
 

In a case of déjà-vu, Osaka appeared to have gained the upper hand from the receiving end before Wozniacki steadied the ship; her consistency ultimately proving too much as she held for 6-5, saving a pair of break points in the process. From there, the 26-year-old Dane seemed to have all the answers to Osaka’s firestorm of flat hitting, waiting for the perfect opportunity to nail her signature backhand down the line and shut the door on the opening set, winning it by seven games to five.

Wozniacki Withstands Late Charge from Osaka to Claim First Title of 2016

After winning back-to-back games to close out the opener, Wozniacki carried the same momentum into the early stages of the second, saving a break point in her opening service game before reeling off 18 of the next 20 points to jump out to a set and 5-0 lead. Osaka, who appeared to have an injury concern of her own after the opening set, was determined to not throw in the towel just yet, saving a championship point a game later—the start of a late resurgence from the Japanese number two.

Naomi Osaka hits a serve against Caroline Wozniacki during the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images
Naomi Osaka hits a serve against Caroline Wozniacki during the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

After finally getting on the board to force Wozniacki to serve for the championship, the Dane blinked, squandering one of her two chances to put an end to her stunning week and giving Osaka a small glimmer of hope for a comeback. Sure enough, after the WTA Rising Star reduced the deficit from 0-5 to 3-5, the pressure was on for Wozniacki to seal the match right then and there.

In the end, the former world number one made no mistake the second time around, dismissing any hopes of a comeback with a hold at love to secure her first title of 2016 with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Caroline Wozniacki celebrates after defeating Naomi Osaka in the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images
Caroline Wozniacki celebrates after defeating Naomi Osaka in the final of the 2016 Toray Pan Pacific Open. | Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

Wozniacki - Osaka: By the Numbers

A thoroughly entertaining contest, Wozniacki and Osaka were more-or-less both equally aggressive from the back of the court, hitting nearly 30 winners (25 to 28, respectively) throughout the match. But much like in all of her other matches this week, it was the Dane’s world-class defensive skills and ruthless consistency that got her over the line in the end, making just half as many unforced errors as her inexperienced Japanese counterpart.

Despite being broken thrice, Wozniacki was clutch on the crucial points, converting five of six break points herself and maintaining a high 62% first-serve percentage throughout, one of the biggest keys to her victory in the final given how Osaka is always looking to attack any weak second serves.

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About the author
Max Gao
Max Gao is a sports writer specializing in tennis and the Toronto Blue Jays, who has also written on the Rogers Cup website as a guest contributor in the past.