ROME (AP) — Naomi Osaka looked comfortable in her opening match at the Italian Open, beating 45th-ranked Clara Burel 7-6 (2), 6-1 on Wednesday.
It was Osaka’s first victory over a top-50 player on clay since defeating Victoria Azarenka at the 2019 French Open.
Osaka was proud of the way she maintained her mental focus after dropping her serve while serving for the first set at 5-3.
“Just being able to hang in there and eventually close it on my terms is something that I’m very proud of myself for,” she said.
It’s also the first time that Osaka is playing in Rome since 2019 — when she reached the quarterfinals.
Osaka, who was formerly ranked No. 1 but is now No. 173 after a maternity break, served eight aces and produced 27 winners to her opponent’s 10. She’ll next face 19th-seeded Marta Kostyuk, who reached the final of a clay event in Stuttgart, Germany, recently.
Met Gala 2024: Photos from the Mark Hotel
Beijing's Yanqing district ready for Labor Day travel rush
Chongqing springs to life on summer nights
Beijing's Yanqing district ready for Labor Day travel rush
High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change
The world's BUSIEST airports revealed: Inside the 10 most packed aviation centers across the globe
Disneyland rides on its swift successes
Poland detains and questions Russian man who illegally crossed from Belarus
Fire rages through Copenhagen's historic stock exchange, spire collapses
The opening round of the Wells Fargo Championship is delayed with rain in the forecast
Mountain and river carnival kicks off in western Beijing