Miami Open: Naomi Osaka Puts up ‘Most Free’ Performance to Progress to Second Round – News18

In the WTA occasion, 4-time grand slam-winner Naomi Osaka had little bother in defeating Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-4 in a single hour, 18 minutes to transfer into the second spherical.

Osaka is ranked 229th on the planet after taking a break after having a baby and spending over a yr out of the sport and is returning to the scene of her run to the ultimate in 2022 the place misplaced to Iga Swiatek within the ultimate.

Osaka stated her efficiency was one of 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 stated.

Osaka will face one other mom within the second spherical when she takes on Elina Svitolina of Ukraine who in 12 months again on the circuit is already again inside the highest 20 — a return which Osaka says has impressed 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,” stated Osaka.

American Sloane Stephens beat Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-3 in a gathering of two former grand slam champions.

Stephens, celebrating her thirty first birthday, was on prime all through in opposition to the German who had proven good kind in Indian Wells the place she reached the fourth spherical.

Stephens, the 2018 Miami champion, will play Romania’s nineteenth-seeded Sorana Cirstea within the second spherical.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)