WTA roundup: Naomi Osaka ends grass drought

Naomi Osaka defeated No. 4 seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Libema Open on Tuesday in's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, for her first win on grass since 2019.

Osaka, a former World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan, fired seven aces and saved the only break point she faced against Belgium's Mertens in the 69-minute win.

In other seeded player action, No. 1 Jessica Pegula defeated Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-2, while No. 3 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia defeated Australia's Arina Rodionova 6-3, 6-4.

Yuan Yue, the sixth seed from China, rallied to defeat Russian Diana Shnaider 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Magda Linette, the eighth seed, and Robin Montgomery's match was suspended at 5-5 in the third set. Linette took the first set 7-6 (4), while Robinson won the second set 6-3.

Rothesay Open

Emma Raducanu of Britain defeated Japan's Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-4 in the first round in Nottingham, England.

Raducanu, who skipped the French Open to prepare for the grass-court season, converted six of eight break points. The 2021 U.S. Open champion faltered briefly after taking a 5-1 lead in the second set, but finished the match in 70 minutes.

Tunisian No. 1 seed Ons Jabeur defeated Colombia's Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-3, while Polish No. 5 seed Magdalena Frech defeated Japan's Nao Hibino 6-1, 6-4.

Two other seeded players were eliminated early: No. 2 Marta Kostyuk, who lost 6-3, 6-3 to fellow Ukrainian Daria Snigur, and No. 8 Caroline Dolehide, who lost 7-6 (3), 6-3 to Francesca Jones of Britain.

SportsLigue