Efficient Karolina Pliskova Proves Too Strong for ‘Tired’ Naomi Osaka

Karolina Pliskova (R) of Czech Republic, flanked by second-placed Naomi Osaka of Japan, poses with her victory trophy during the Pan Pacific Open Women's Singles Final match in Tokyo, Japan on Sept. 23, 2018. Toru Hanai/Reuters

TOKYO—Former world number one Karolina Pliskova utilized her big serve to full effect to ease to a 6-4 6-4 victory over home favorite and U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo on Sept. 23.

Osaka, supremely confident and in top form coming into the contest on the back of 10 consecutive wins, appeared uncertain throughout the match as her Czech opponent broke serve once in each set to triumph in 64 minutes.