Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, made a triumphant return to the China Open on Wednesday, defeating Lucia Bronzetti of Italy 6-3, 6-2. The match marked Osaka’s first appearance in Beijing since 2019, after a four-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a WTA boycott of China over the well-being of Peng Shuai.
Osaka displayed her trademark power and precision, securing the victory in a dominant 83 minutes. She was particularly impressive in the second set, breaking Bronzetti twice to seal the win. “I’m glad that I’m able to be able to play on this court again,” Osaka said after the match. “And I hope to be able to lift a trophy again sometime soon.”
Osaka’s victory sets up a second-round clash with Yulia Putintseva, the 21st seed from Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin also advanced to the second round with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Ana Bogdan of Romania. The 25-year-old American, one of 15 American women in the Beijing draw, will face 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider in the next round.
American Taylor Townsend secured her place in the second round with a hard-fought 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Martina Trevisan.
Other notable results from the opening day included China’s Wang Xinyu defeating Mai Hontama of Japan 6-1, 6-3 and Yuliia Starodubtseva overcoming Laura Siegemund 6-4, 7-6 (3).
The tournament’s top seed, Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion, will begin her campaign in the second round on Friday against the winner of the match between Zarina Diyas and Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
Notable by her absence this week is top-ranked Iga Swiatek, who has cited personal reasons for withdrawing from the tournament. Swiatek has won four WTA 1000 events this season.
