Naomi Osaka returned to her city of birth to start a winning streak, and in return has now won the September Player of the Month award.
The reigning Australian Open champion earned her first title since Melbourne at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Osaka, where she was born. It was her first time hoisting that trophy after runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2018, when the event was held in Tokyo.
Osaka's triumph in Japan kicked off a 10-match winning streak that, in turn, put her on top of the fan vote to be crowned the latest monthly award winner this year.
The former World No.1 would go on to end the month by moving on to the China Open in Beijing, which she would eventually win for her third title of the season.
The two-time Grand Slam champion's sterling run through Osaka and Beijing also ended up clinching her a spot at the Shiseido WTA Finals for the second consecutive year.
Final Results for September's Player of the Month
1. Naomi Osaka
2. Aryna Sabalenka
3. Karolina Pliskova
How it works:
Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
Previous WTA Players of the Month for 2019
January: Naomi Osaka
February: Belinda Bencic
March: Ashleigh Barty
April: Petra Kvitova
May: Kiki Bertens
June: Ashleigh Barty
July: Simona Halep
August: Bianca Andreescu
