China Open: Naomi Osaka starts strong in Beijing

Naomi Osaka began her Asian swing campaign with victory over Lucia Bronzetti in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Osaka who is playing in  Beijing for the first time since she captured the title in 2019, defeated her opponent in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to reach the second round.

Playing in her first match since declaring her separation from coach Wim Fissette, Osaka resolutely overcame a break in the opening set to overcome Bronzetti for the second time this year. Osaka won in straight sets in their match against each other at Roland Garros.

“It feels really good. I’m glad that I’m able to be able to play on this court again,” Osaka said on court, “and I hope to be able to lift a trophy again sometime soon,” Osaka said while on court interview after the game.

Osaka finished the match with 30 winners to 22 unforced errors, holding Bronzetti to 7 winners and 10 unforced errors. Osaka struck just seven unforced errors in the second set.

Since 2009, Naomi Osaka (72.3%, 102-39) trails only three active players for combined winning percentage on hard court at WTA-1000 and GS events – Iga Swiatek (78.3%), Victoria Azarenka (75.5%) and Aryna Sabalenka (73.8%). Strike.

Next for Osaka is a difficult test with Yulia Putintseva, the 21st seed, in the second round. Osaka has won the last two meetings, including a 6-2, 7-6(5) triumph at the Billie Jean King Cup earlier this year, while Putintseva has won three of their five meetings.