### Major Upset: Naomi Osaka defeated by Lesia Tsurenko in Brisbane International semi-final
Naomi Osaka has admitted feeling disappointed with her performance in the semi-final match against world No.27 Lesia Tsurenko at the Brisbane International.
The US Open champion struggled throughout the game against the unseeded Ukrainian, making 26 unforced errors and ultimately losing 6-2, 6-4. The match lasted just 66 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday.
“I felt like I approached the game with a negative attitude today,” Osaka confessed.
Despite being the second seed player from Japan, Osaka never found her rhythm during the match. She faced challenges early on, losing focus in the first game and again at 4-2 despite mounting a comeback from 15-40. Even after creating opportunities at the start of the second set, Osaka found herself in trouble again.
When the scoreline was 3-2, Osaka had a chance to turn the game in her favor but failed to capitalize on two break points, visibly displaying her frustration.
“I struggled with dealing with a poor performance today,” Osaka revealed. “There were moments when I tried to stay positive, but when things didn’t go my way, I found myself reverting to a negative mindset. That was my main issue today.”
This defeat has certainly shaken Osaka’s confidence ahead of the impending Australian Open. Despite the disappointment, Osaka views this experience as a valuable lesson in understanding how to handle difficult situations on the court.
“This difficult match has taught me more than winning a tournament could have,” she explained. “I now have a better understanding of how to improve my game in challenging circumstances. Today was a significant learning experience for me.”
