In the WTA event, four-time grand slam-winner Naomi Osaka had little trouble in defeating Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-4 in one hour, 18 minutes to move into the second round.
Osaka is ranked 229th in the world after taking a break after having a child and spending over a year out of the game and is returning to the scene of her run to the final in 2022 where lost to Iga Swiatek in the final.
Osaka said her performance was the best since she returned to the tour at Brisbane in January.
“Honestly, this is probably the most free that I was able hit my balls, the closest to the feeling that I want to capture going forward, so I would say that this is probably my best match in terms of shot-making….I was swinging the best that I have since I have been back,” she said.
Osaka will face another mother in the second round when she takes on Elina Svitolina of Ukraine who in 12 months back on the circuit is already back inside the top 20 — a return which Osaka says has inspired her.
“I remember watching her play at Wimbledon whilst I was pregnant and thinking that I want to be there too one day. I think she’s always just been a really great player so it’s not surprising to me she’s back in the top 20. It’s where she belongs,” said Osaka.
American Sloane Stephens beat Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-3 in a meeting of two former grand slam champions.
Stephens, celebrating her 31st birthday, was on top throughout against the German who had shown good form in Indian Wells where she reached the fourth round.
Stephens, the 2018 Miami champion, will play Romania’s 19th-seeded Sorana Cirstea in the second round.
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