Fourth seed Naomi Osaka came back from a set down to defeat world No.1 Ashleigh Barty in the China Open final and for the first time in her career win back-to-back titles, after her last month’s triumph at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Japan.
After the first set, it seemed like the match was absolutely in Barty’s hands, even though her 6-3 lead didn’t come easily — the Australian saved two break points (one at 2-2 and one at 4-2) and the sole break she earned happened in a five-deuce sixth game in which she was greatly helped by Osaka’s three double faults.