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World No. 1 Osaka all set to dazzle Dubai fans

Dubai - Osaka's rapid climb to the top has been nothing short of astonishing

All eyes will be on Australian Open champion and new world No. 1 Naomi Osaka when the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships gets underway in just three weeks' time.
Osaka's rapid climb to the very top has been nothing short of astonishing. Last year when she competed in Dubai she was ranked a modest 48, but immediately after losing in the quarterfinals she took her first steps to super stardom by winning the Indian Wells title, and just a few months later she stunned the tennis world, and her opponent in the final Serena Williams, by winning the US Open.
She has continued her fantastic run this season, outlasting two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in a thrilling three-set finale to the Australian Open. Not only did her victory elevate her to the very top of the rankings, she became the first player to follow her maiden Grand Slam title with victory at the following major since Jennifer Capriati won the Australian and French Opens in 2001.
"There is nothing more exciting than seeing a wonderful new talent emerge, and the progress that Naomi Osaka has made in the last year has been remarkable," said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free.
"We offer her our warmest congratulations for not only her wonderful victory in Melbourne but her rise to world No. 1. We very much look forward to seeing her once again at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships."
The first player from Asia, man or woman, to reach No. 1 will shortly be setting her focus on winning another trophy, and what she accomplished in Australia suggests that she will be able to add her name to the long list of great players who have claimed the Dubai Futy Free title.
"Naomi Osaka has proved beyond doubt that she belongs among the greats of the game, and there is every chance that she will be able to join such stars as Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Amelie Mauresmo, Lindsay Davenport and so many others as a Dubai champion," said Tournament Director Salah Tahlak.
"With another eight of the top 10 also competing she faces an enormous challenge, but she has demonstrated that she is able to rise to any occasion."
The field she will face includes fellow 2018 Grand Slam winners Caroline Wozniacki, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber, along with two-time Dubai champion Elina Svitolina, her Australian Open final opponent Petra Kvitova and former Grand Slam champions Garbine Muguruza and Jelena Ostapenko.