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Home favourite Naomi Osaka debuted a Japan-inspired outfit before defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the opening round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, while veteran Venus Williams suffered a first-round exit to a teenager at the Guangzhou Open.
Osaka Wins Opening Round in Tokyo
The seventh-seeded Osaka secured a 6-3 7-6 (4) victory over Paolini in a one-hour and 37-minute encounter. Returning to Tokyo for the first time in four years, the four-time Grand Slam champion entered the WTA 500 event wearing a blue-and-white, crane-embroidered kimono-inspired outfit designed by Hana Yagi, who also created her Wimbledon attire.
Osaka stated, “I was just really glad that she wanted to work with me again. I feel like for me I haven’t been here in a little bit of a while, so it’s just nice to bring a bit of a show here too.”
The win avenged Osaka’s previous loss to Paolini at the Miami Open last year. During the tournament-opening match, Osaka hit seven aces compared to her opponent’s one, overcoming a second set where she saved three consecutive set points before winning the tiebreak.
Osaka added, “The match was really difficult. I played her once before and I lost, so I’m really glad to be on a home court and win. I talked to her and she hurt herself, so I just wish that you know she gets healthy soon.”
Playing some of her best tennis since returning following the birth of her daughter Shai three years ago, Osaka mentioned earlier in the week that she would walk away from the sport if her child asked her to do so. In other tournament news, world No 1 Elena Rybakina received a first-round bye, while second seed Maja Chwalinska and fourth seed Belinda Bencic withdrew due to injury.
Success for Alcaraz and Norrie in Vienna
At the Vienna Open on Tuesday, Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the second round by defeating Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-6 (5). The Spanish player’s next opponent will be either Jurij Rodionov or Nikoloz Basilashvili. Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie also progressed to the next stage following a 6-4 6-1 win against Francisco Cerundolo.
Venus Williams Falls to Teenager in Guangzhou
At the Guangzhou Open, 46-year-old tennis icon Venus Williams dropped to 0-13 in singles matches this year after a 6-2 6-2 defeat against teenager Lilli Tagger in the opening round. Ranked No 599, Williams was contesting her first singles match in two months following a first-round loss to Sofia Kenin at the US Open.
The 28-year age gap between the competitors marks a record difference between opponents in a WTA Tour match. Tagger was born in 2008, the same year Williams captured the last of her seven Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon. Williams failed to create a single break-point opportunity, while Tagger successfully converted four out of 16 chances.
Tagger remarked, “When I saw the draw I was super excited and a bit nervous – I respect her a lot. It is funny she used to play with my coach. I would love to play at this age – I want to congratulate her.”
Tagger will advance to the next stage of the tournament as the WTA and ATP Tours continue.
