New Delhi, May 9: Japan’s Naomi Osaka beat France’s Clara Burel in straight sets at the 2024 Italian Open in the first round of the tennis tournament on Wednesday, the media reported.
She won 7-6,7-2, 6-1 against Burel, who is ranked 45th in the world.
“Just being able to hang in there and eventually close it on my terms is something I’m proud of,” Osaka said.
This was her first appearance at the tournament since 2021.
In the second round, Osaka will face Ukraine’s Marta Kotstyuk who is ranked 20th in the world.
Osaka, 26, was formerly ranked Number One but is now No. 173 after 15 months of maternity break.
