Osaka saves four set points to beat Bejlek in Beijing

Naomi Osaka saved four set points in the opening set before beating Sara Bejlek 7–6 (4), 6–4 at the China Open on October 4. The victory sent Osaka into the Beijing round of 16 for the fourth time.

Osaka broke back when Bejlek served for the first set, then survived four set points on her own serve before winning the tiebreak. She took four of its final five points to claim the opening set after 64 minutes.

Bejlek’s double fault gave Osaka a 4–2 lead in the second set. Osaka saved three break points to consolidate, but the finish took longer than expected: she was broken while serving for the match before regrouping to break in a five-deuce game.

The WTA reported that Osaka needed five match points and just over two hours to close out the win. She landed 69 percent of her first serves and won 46 of the 60 points played behind them.

Her next opponent is seventh seed Karolina Muchova, who leads their career meetings 4–3 and beat Osaka at Bad Homburg and Wimbledon this season.