Naomi Osaka made a triumphant return to the Italian Open, dispatching France’s Clara Burel in straight sets in her first appearance at the tournament since 2021. The former world number one displayed her prowess on the clay courts, securing a 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 victory over Burel, who holds the 45th spot in the world rankings. Osaka’s win marked her first triumph against a top-50 opponent on clay since her victory over Victoria Azarenka at the French Open in 2019.
Having recently become a mother, the 26-year-old Osaka showcased her determination and skill, setting her sights on further success in the tournament. Her next challenge awaits in the form of 19th seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the second round on Thursday. Meanwhile, adverse weather conditions in Rome forced the cancellation of Britain’s Dan Evans’ first-round match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini in the men’s competition.
Despite her temporary ranking of 173 in the world, Osaka demonstrated her quality on the court, concluding the 84-minute match with an impressive tally of 27 winners, including eight aces. Reflecting on her performance, Osaka acknowledged areas for improvement, expressing her desire to learn from her mistakes and enhance her game for the upcoming matches. As Osaka continues her journey in the Italian Open, her return to form signals a promising campaign ahead.
