PARIS (France): Naomi Osaka stuttered once again following her Australian Open disappointment after she was beaten 6-0, 6-3 by Spain’s world No. 78 Sara Sorribes Tormo in Fed Cup.
The Japanese, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has endured a shaky start to the year after being knocked out by 15-year-old American Coco Gauff last month in Melbourne.
The Spaniards took an unexpected lead over Japan in the tie in Cartagena after Sorribes Tormo capitalised on a careless performance from Osaka, who made 50 unforced errors in the 15 games.
Carla Suarez Navarro then made it 2-0 to the hosts after she eased past Misaki Doi 6-3, 6-4.
Sorribes Tormo enjoyed the backing of a sizeable home crowd at La Manga Club and her consistency proved too much for Osaka, who has never played her best on clay.
“We knew that Sara had the game to make it very uncomfortable for Naomi,” said Spain captain Anabel Medina Garrigues. “She stuck to the game plan perfectly.”
Since claiming her second consecutive major triumph, Osaka has dipped, failing to go past the fourth round in any of the four Grand Slams since.
The 22-year-old, who has dropped to number 10 in the world, surrendered the first set to Sorribes Tormo in a swift 27 minutes before putting up more of a fight in the second.
The winners of the eight qualifying ties will join four automatic entries, holders France, Australia, Czech Republic and hosts Hungary, in the inaugural Fed Cup Finals in Budapest in April.
USA take 2-0 lead over Latvia
Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams gave the United States a 2-0 lead over Latvia.
Williams survived a late wobble to beat 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) in Everett, Washington.
Kenin had put the US up 1-0 with a brisk 6-2, 6-2 victory over Anastasija Sevastova.
Williams followed with a hard-fought win over Ostapenko that improved her perfect record in Fed Cup singles to 14-0.
