Naomi Osaka avoids drama, Petra Kvitova saves match point, Angelique Kerber crashes out

Naomi Osaka did her talking on the court with a first-round victory over Patricia Maria Tig at the French Open.
Osaka’s decision not to do any press during the tournament was the biggest talking point during the build-up to the year’s second grand slam, with the four-time grand slam champion citing mental health reasons.
She admits to not being completely comfortable on clay, and she has never been beyond the third round at Roland Garros, but the second seed avoided any real drama in a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) victory over Romanian Tig.
No.2 seed moving on 🆙@naomiosaka books her spot in the second-round, overcoming Tig in a tight second set 6-4, 7-6(4). #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/OMf1hZM6i0
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2021
Despite her media snub, Osaka did take part in a short and rather awkward on-court interview for the few hundred fans allowed into Court Philippe Chatrier.
“I’m very glad that I won,” said the 23-year-old, who skipped the tournament last year after winning her third slam title at the US Open.
“It’s a very beautiful court. I’ve only played two matches here, one was before the roof and one is right now. Hopefully I’ll keep it going.”
Regarding her movement on clay, Osaka, who next meets another Romanian in Ana Bogdan, said: “I would say it’s a work in progress. Hopefully the more I play, the better I’ll get.”
Petra Kvitova, a semi-finalist last year, saved a match point in the second set against Greet Minnen before coming through 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.
Angelique Kerber has won titles at the other three Grand Slams but her chances of completing the set appear remote after a third successive first-round loss.
The German, twice a quarter-finalist in Paris, was beaten 6-2, 6-4 by a very in-form player in qualifier Anhelina Kalinina, who has now won her last 14 matches.
American Danielle Collins, who is back on tour after undergoing surgery for endometriosis, battled to a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over China’s Wang Xiyu.
Russian Elena Vesnina, meanwhile, defeated Olga Govortsova 6-1, 6-0 in her first singles match at a Grand Slam since taking maternity leave in 2018.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Tennis News
WATCH: ‘Greek god’ Marton Fucsovics takes shirt off to reveal ripped body
Marton Fucsovics shows off his muscles again.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka eyes Iga Swiatek’s No 1 spot – Why Sabalenka could usurp the Pole in the coming months
Aryna Sabalenka’s world No 1 goal could be within touching distance.
-
ATP Tour
What Novak Djokovic needs to do to be top seed at French Open
Novak Djokovic has a big chance to be back at No 1 in time for the French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon reach verdict on Russian players with announcement imminent
The decision on whether Russian and Belarusian players can compete at Wimbledon this summer has been made.
-
Tennis News
Tennis legend predicts how many Grand Slams Novak Djokovic will win
Novak Djokovic is “going to be winning majors as long as he’s healthy”.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka, WTA and Steve Simon slammed as tension in tennis continues to escalate
All is not well in women’s tennis.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz off the mark in Miami as Jimmy Connors explains why he is head and shoulders above his peers
Carlos Alcaraz up and running in Miami as Jimmy Connors waxes lyrical about Spaniard.
-
WTA Tour
WTA accused of ignoring request for meeting with Ukrainian players – ‘Just silence’
Ukrainian players want to meet with the WTA board.