(Madrid) Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka scored her first victory in two years on clay on Wednesday, after defeating Greet Minnen 6-4, 6-1 in the first round of the Tennis Open from Madrid.
Osaka fired eight aces and faced just one break point en route to her first victory on clay since defeating Anastasia Potapova in the first round of the 2022 Madrid Open.
“I have my own style of play, and I want to stay true to it, although I have to adapt to the playing surface here,” said Osaka, who returned to the game after maternity leave in January. My game is improving, but I’m watching a lot more clay court matches, and I’m trying to do my homework as best as possible. »
Furthermore, the Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro came from behind to surprise her compatriot Paula Badosa 2-6, 6-3 and 6-3. She thus signed her first victory in the main draw of a WTA 1000 tournament and brought her record in 2024 to 30-7.
“My level of play is there, but I have to rebuild my mentality,” admitted Badosa, a former world No. 2. I am disappointed every week. I’ve already been at the top, and it’s difficult to accept my ranking right now. »
American Sloane Stephens defeated Martina Trevisan 6-3, 5-7 and 6-4, while her compatriot Bernarda Pera lost 7-5, 6-2 to Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Maria Lourdes Carle earned her first victory on the WTA 1000 circuit after defeating 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-2.
On the men’s side, Ontario’s Denis Shapovalov is scheduled to face Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta in the first round later today.