Tennis – San José: Winning return for Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka reassured herself. After more than two months without competition since his defeat in the first round of Roland-Garros due to a persistent Achilles tendon injury, the former world number one has made a perfect return to business overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. , in the first round of the San Diego hard-court tournament.

Opposed to the 19-year-old Chinese youngster, Zheng Qinwen, Naomi Osaka was not always perfect, far from it, but she was able to find the rhythm at the right time to win her match in three sets: 6-4, 3- 6, 6-1. If she has not yet found the full extent of her talent, the essential was not there for the Japanese. “It’s really cool to be back playing. I haven’t played since May, I didn’t know that. Someone told me. It’s really good to be back,” said simply declared Osaka at the end of his victory.

I am very happy

This meeting also marked the return of his father, Léonard François, as coach. For two years, Naomi Osaka worked with Wim Fissette. “It’s good for him to be back because he always makes me smile. I’m really happy”called herself Osaka.

In the second round, a completely different test will come against Naomi Osaka. The former world number one, now ranked 41st, will meet American Coco Gauff (18), a Roland-Garros finalist this year, who sharply beat Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina in straight sets 6-1, 6- 0.

(With AFP)