TORONTO – Naomi Osaka from Japan showcased her strength in her return to competitive tennis after maternity leave by defeating the ninth-seeded Ons Jabeur from Tunisia with a score of 6-3, 6-1 at the National Bank Open on Wednesday. Osaka, who has previously held the world No. 1 ranking, has now topped a top-20 player five times since her return.
“Everyone knows I really love hard courts. I didn’t think too much about it. It was very instinctive,” said Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion. “Honestly, when I play against the best players like Ons, I tend to play better.”
Osaka is now set to face Belgian Elise Mertens in the second round, after Mertens defeated American Katie Volynets with a score of 6-3, 6-1.
Spanish player Paula Badosa, who is also making a comeback after a back injury, continued her success by following up her victory in Washington with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 win over Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Badosa, who has previously been ranked as high as No. 2 in the world, will meet the fourth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in the next round.
In an evening match, the third-seeded defending champion Jessica Pegula from the United States will face Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic.
The 19-year-old Marina Stakusic from nearby Mississauga also impressed by winning her first main draw appearance in the tournament against Russia’s Erika Andreeva with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4.
With more top performances and intriguing matches ahead, the next round of the National Bank Open is set to be exciting to follow.