Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka (Japan) easily qualified for the second round of the WTA 1000 China Open hard court tennis tournament in Beijing with a prize fund of nearly 9 million EUR, with Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou by her side on the court.
The former world’s number one, now 73rd in the ranking, defeated Lucia Bronzetti (Italy) by 2-0 (6:3, 6:2) and her next opponent will be the 21st seed Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan).
Naomi Osaka announced this month that she was parting ways with Belgian coach Wim Fissette. The famous French specialist Patrick Mouratoglou arrived in Beijing and was on the court for her victory against Lucia Bronzetti.
“I’d say he’s my coach right now. I try not to get into short-term relationships with people, but think of it as a long-term commitment. I like how he’s coaching me. I think it’s going to be really interesting”, said Naomi Osaka, when asked if he was her new mentor.
The Japanese won the title at the tournament in Beijing in 2019.
“I’m happy to be on this court again and I hope to lift the trophy again soon”, said Naomi Osaka.
Meanwhile, Shuai Zhang (China) defeated McCartney Kessler (USA) by 2-0 (7:6, 7:6), Diane Parry (France) eliminated En Shuo Liang (Taiwan) by 2-1 (4:6, 6:0, 6:0), and Elina Avanesyan (Armenia) won her opening match versus Emina Bektas (USA) by 2-0 (6:2, 7:5).
Rebecca Sramkova (Slovakia) continues with her strong performance since the beginning of the season and defeated Anhelina Kalinina (Ukraine) by 2-0 (6:4, 6:0), Peyton Stearns (USA) won her match versus Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Spain) by 2-0 (6:2, 6:4), Hailey Baptiste (USA) defeated Varvara Gracheva (France) by 2-0 (6:0, 6:3), and Alycia Parks (USA) eliminated Qiang Wang (China) by 2-1 (1:6, 6:4, 6:2).
Earlier in the day, Taylor Townsend (USA) eliminated Martina Trevisan )Italy) after 2-1 (6:2, 4:6, 6:3), while Clara Burel (France) defeated Tamara Korpatsch (Germany) by 2-1 (6:3, 5:7, 6:3) and Katie Volynets (USA) won her match versus Dalma Galfi (Hungary) by 2-0 (7:5, 6:1).
