Osaka's next opponent is 144th-ranked Mia Pohankova, an 18-year-old wild card from Slovakia.
Naomi Osaka kicked off her Japan homecoming with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over Jasmine Paolini in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum on Tuesday. The Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first set before Paolini fought back to draw level. The Italian world No. 35 had a break point for a 4-3 lead, but sent her forehand long, and Osaka promptly swept through the final three games of the set.
At the end of a tightly contested second set, world No. 18 Osaka saved three consecutive set points at 5-6 before winning the game and closing out the match in the tiebreak.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
Related stories
Work interval system yet to take root in Japan
Japan considers easing rules on use of bicycle child seats
Hedge funds gear up for Japan’s $60 billion Topix revamp trade
Hackers target U.S. FEC system, disrupting campaign finance disclosures before midterms
Trump says government to ‘terminate’ Biden-era methane emissions rules
Criminal case against alleged Bondi terrorist delayed amid ‘unprecedented’ investigation