Tennis: Naomi Osaka powers into Australian Open 3rd round
Kyodo -- Feb 08
Women's world No. 3 Naomi Osaka served up a tennis master class at the Australian Open on Wednesday with a 6-2, 6-3 second-round victory over Caroline Garcia of France in Melbourne.
Seeking a second Australian Open title to go with her two U.S. Open championships, Osaka sealed the 1-hour, 1-minute win at Rod Laver Arena, with her 10th ace of the match.
Osaka, who won her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne in 2019, made virtually no mistakes in the first set apart from a pair of double faults while her opponent pressed. Garcia rallied at the last, fighting off three set points on her serve before Osaka put the set to rest with her second service break.
She seized control of the second set by breaking in the sixth game to go up 4-2, and both players held serve the rest of the way.
"It's really hard to play opponents like her because you never know what she's going to do and how hard she's going to hit," Osaka said of Garcia, who is ranked 43rd in the world. "So (the key was) just staying within myself."
Garcia relied on some pin-point serves to score four second-set aces, but Osaka was definitely on her return game.
Japanese fans tidy up, say ‘thank you’ at World Cup
taipeitimes.com - Nov 28
The sight of Japanese fans at a World Cup bagging trash after a match - win or lose - always surprises non-Japanese. Japanese players are famous for doing the same in their team dressing room: hanging up towels, cleaning the floor and even leaving a thank-you note.
Costa Rica blow Group E open with victory over Japan
newsday - Nov 28
Costa Rica kept their chances alive of qualifying for the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Japan in Group E at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Sunday.
Rank-and-filer Abi wins Kyushu sumo tournament after 3-way playoff
NHK - Nov 28
Rank-and-file wrestler Abi has won the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament after the first three-way playoff in 28 years.
2022 JAPAN CUP (G1) | JRA Official
JRA公式チャンネル - Nov 27
Sunday, 27 November 2022 TOKYO Japan Autumn International JAPAN CUP in association with LONGINES(International Invitational) (G1) 2400m, Turf
World Cup: Japan cleans up locker room after beating Germany
inquirer.net - Nov 25
Japanese courtesy was on full display again at the World Cup when the national team left their dressing room spotless with an extra touch of kindness after their incredible 2-1 comeback win against Germany on Wednesday.
Japan upsets Germany 2-1
sen.com.au - Nov 24
Japan pulled off a major upset of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar overnight.
Experiencing the amazing technique of a "female heat wave master"
Fuji News Network - Nov 22
As people become more conscious about their health, saunas that work up a sweat are booming. FNN Prime Online focuses on Atsuko Goto, a female heat wave master who supported the boom and achieved the feat of being ranked third in the world.
We are not doing it for the camera! Japanese fans cleaning Qatar stadium shock football fans
standardmedia.co.ke - Nov 22
Japanese fans on Sunday shocked Qatari locals by clearing up Al Bayt stadium after Qatar vs Ecuador World Cup opening game, despite the fact, their team did not even feature in the match.
Japan's first female World Cup referee gets ready for kickoff
Nikkei - Nov 20
Once so reluctant to officiate that she had to be forced into it, Yoshimi Yamashita now stands to make history as one of the first three women -- and the only one from Japan -- to serve as referees at the World Cup.
Shohei Ohtani announces intention to play for Japan at World Baseball Classic
Japan Times - Nov 17
Shohei Ohtani plans to play for Japan during next spring’s World Baseball Classic, the Los Angeles Angels star announced on his Instagram page on Thursday.
How far can Japan go at the 2022 World Cup?
newsonjapan.com - Nov 16
They were one of the first to name their squad, and Japan were also the first team to arrive in Qatar, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Golf: Miyuu Yamashita becomes youngest "queen" on Japan LPGA Tour
Kyodo - Nov 14
Miyuu Yamashita won the Ito En Ladies golf tournament Sunday, securing her place as the season points leader and making her the youngest "queen" in Japan LPGA Tour history at 21 years, 103 days.
England beats Japan 52-13 in Rugby test match
NHK - Nov 13
Japan's national rugby team has lost to England in a test match in London. The score was 52-13.
Japan first team to arrive in Qatar for FIFA World Cup
thesportsgrail.com - Nov 10
The first batch of players, mostly from the J-league, and officials were officially welcomed by Japanese ambassador to Qatar Satoshi Maeda at a function held at Radisson Blu Hotel Doha which will serve as Samurai Blue residence for the next few weeks.
Baseball: Ohtani finishes behind Aaron Judge in Players Choice Awards
Kyodo - Nov 06
Shohei Ohtani missed out on consecutive Players Choice Awards on Friday, with New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge claiming the pair of accolades won last year by the Los Angeles Angels two-way star.
Yokohama F Marinos beat Vissel Kobe 3-1 for 5th J.League title
Japan Today - Nov 06
Yokohama F Marinos sealed the J-League first-division championship on a hectic final day of the season Saturday, beating Vissel Kobe 3-1 as title rivals and two-time defending holders Kawasaki Frontale overcame FC Tokyo 3-2 despite being reduced to 10 men.
