Osaka cruises through opening round at China Open with new coach
Naomi Osaka, a former top-ranked player, commenced her participation in the China Open with a straightforward 6-3, 6-2 win against Italy's Lucia Bronzetti on Wednesday, marking a successful debut under her new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was the focal point of the opening day and demonstrated her skill by concluding the first-round match against the 77th-ranked Bronzetti in just 83 minutes.
Osaka, who previously won the China Open in 2019, had seen tournaments in China canceled for four years due to COVID-19 and a WTA boycott concerning the welfare of Peng Shuai. She is set to face Yulia Putintseva, the 21st-seeded player from Kazakhstan, in the second round.
At 26 years old, Osaka began her training with Mouratoglou in preparation for the Asian leg of the women’s tour, following her split with Wim Fissette after a disappointing second-round exit at the U.S. Open.
“I believe I am at a point in my life where I want to avoid regrets,” the Japanese athlete stated after her match on Wednesday. “I would prefer to take risks rather than simply saying I ‘failed’; I feel it is essential for me to learn as much as I can at this stage of my career.”
Patrick appeared to be the individual possessing the information I was eager to acquire.
In the first set, after exchanging breaks, Osaka achieved a crucial break during the seventh game.
With powerful serving, she intensified the pressure in the second set, breaking Bronzetti twice more to secure her victory.
Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin advanced with a 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Romania's Ana Bogdan.
The 25-year-old Kenin, part of a record 15 American women competing in the Beijing draw, will face 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider in the second round.
American Taylor Townsend will accompany Kenin in the second round after defeating Martina Trevisan 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, along with Katie Volynets, who won 7-5, 6-1 against Dalma Galfi.
Another American, McCartney Kessler, was narrowly defeated by China's Zhang Shuai with scores of 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1).
Additionally, China's Wang Xinyu triumphed over Japan's Mai Hontama with a score of 6-1, 6-3, while Yuliia Starodubtseva overcame Laura Siegemund 6-4, 7-6 (3).
U.S. Open champion and top seed Aryna Sabalenka will commence her tournament in the second round on Friday against the winner of the match between Zarina Diyas and Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek, who has won four WTA 1000 events this season, is not participating this week due to personal reasons.
The men's tournament is set to begin on Thursday, featuring top-ranked Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who have collectively secured all four Grand Slam titles this season.
Second-ranked Alexander Zverev announced earlier this week that he would not compete in Beijing as he recuperates from an illness.
Japan Open
Second-seeded Hubert Hurkacz required three sets to overcome Marcos Giron, winning 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4 in the first round of the Japan Open.
This victory marked Hurkacz's 40th win of the season, allowing the eighth-ranked player to improve his head-to-head record against the American to 3-0.
Matteo Berrettini commenced his tournament in Tokyo with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands.
The powerful-serving Italian delivered seven aces and successfully broke van de Zandschulp's serve on four occasions.
Formerly ranked sixth, Berrettini is currently positioned at No. 45 and may face top-seeded Taylor Fritz in the second round. Fritz, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open earlier this month, is set to compete against Frenchman Arthur Fils in his opening match on Thursday.
In another match, Mariano Navone from Argentina triumphed over Italy’s Luciano Darderi with a score of 6-4, 6-4.
SportsLigue