Japan's Naomi Osaka lost a close match to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in the second round of the Brisbane International tennis tournament on Wednesday.
In the battle of former world No. 1s, Pliskova won 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 to see off Osaka, who was playing her first WTA Tour event in about 15 months after giving birth to her daughter last July.
Pliskova, currently ranked 39th, improved her head-to-head record against Osaka to 4-2.
"I think for me, even stepping on the court is a personal win because a couple of weeks ago I was even doubting if I could play with everyone," Osaka said.
"Even though it's super disappointing today, I know that if I keep training and if I keep putting in the work, then I'll eventually get to where I want to be."
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is scheduled to play at the Australian Open beginning Jan. 14 in Melbourne.
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