In her return from maternity leave, Naomi Osaka of Japan defeated ninth-seeded Ons Jabeur of Tunisia 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday at the National Bank Open. Osaka, a former No. 1 player, defeated a top-20 player for the seventh time since her return.
“Everyone knows how much I adore hard courts. I was not thinking too much. “It was very instinctual,” said Naomi Osaka, who has won four Grand Slam titles. “Honestly, when I play the best players, like Ons, I tend to play better.” Osaka will face Elise Mertens of Belgium in the second round. Mertens defeated American Katie Volynets, 6-3, 6-1. Also read: Andy Murray beats Weary Matteo Berrettini To Advance in Miami Open round two
Paul Badosa, a former second-ranked player returning from a back injury, defeated Denmark’s Clara Tauson 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday, after her Washington title. In the second round, the Spanish star will face Jelena Ostapenko, who is seeded fourth.
Third-seeded reigning champion Jessica Pegula of the United States defeated Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 6-4 in the second round. Also read: Who is Casper Ruud Girlfriend? Know all about Maria Galligani
In another night match, 15th-seeded Leylah Fernandez of Canada defeated Japan’s Nao Hibino 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.
Marina Stakusic, a 19-year-old from nearby Mississauga, defeated Russia’s Erika Andreeva 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4 in her debut outing in the main draw.