US Open champion Osaka dominant on return to action in Japan

Naomi Osaka's homecoming couldn't have gone much better.

Playing in her first tournament since winning the U.S. Open, third-seeded Osaka impressed her Japanese fans Wednesday with a powerful 6-2, 6-1 win over Dominika Cibulkova to reach the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open.

Osaka was in control of the second-round match from the outset, breaking Cibulkova's serve in the first game at a sold-out Tachikawa Arena in Tokyo.

Naomi Osaka, right, of Japan and Dominika Cibulkova, left, of Slovakia greet each other after the second round match of Pan Pacific Open women's tennis tournament in Tokyo Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

The local favorite raced out to a 4-0 lead before Cibulkova finally held to win her first game. Osaka hit three aces to close out the first set.

She broke her opponent three more times in the second set to win in just over an hour, hitting 25 winners to just nine unforced errors.

Osaka became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title when she upset 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams on Sept. 8 in New York.

Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after defeating Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during the second round match of Pan Pacific Open women's tennis tournament in Tokyo Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Two years ago Osaka lost in the Pan Pacific final to Caroline Wozniacki, who is the top-seeded player this year.

Osaka was born in Japan to a Haitian father and Japanese mother. They were both in attendance Wednesday.

The shy 20-year-old Osaka, who has spent most of her life in the United States and lives in Florida, has been in the spotlight both on and off the court since returning to Japan last Thursday.

Naomi Osaka of Japan signs her autograph to fans after defeating Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during the second round match of Pan Pacific Open women's tennis tournament in Tokyo Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took to Instagram to praise Osaka's accomplishments and the rising star also appeared at a sumo match.

Osaka signed a three-year contract last week with Japanese carmaker Nissan — no financial details were released — and she is reportedly close to landing a large deal with Adidas, perhaps in the range of $10 million.

The U.S. Open title was worth $3.8 million in prize money.

Naomi Osaka of Japan and Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia play during the second round of Pan Pacific Open women's tennis tournament in Tokyo Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)

Osaka also has endorsement agreements with Japanese sporting goods company Yonex, noodle maker Nissin Foods, Citizen Watch and satellite broadcaster Wowow.

In other matches at the Pan Pacific Open, American qualifier Alison Riske upset former world No. 1 Garbine Muguruza 6-1, 6-2 and Karolina Pliskova defeated Daria Gavrilova 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Caroline Garcia beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

Osaka will next face the winner of the match between Anett Kontaveit and Barbora Strycova.

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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)