Miami Open: Naomi Osaka powers into the second round

Japan’s Naomi Osaka breezed into the second round of the Miami Open with a comprehensive straight sets win over Australian Astra Sharma on Wednesday.
Osaka had endured a tough loss in Indian Wells 10 days ago, breaking down in tears after being heckled in the stands following a defeat to Veronika Kudermetova.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who had time away from tennis in 2021 to deal with mental health issues, showed tremendous poise at the to beat world no 96 Sharma 6-3 6-4 to move on in Miami.
Whipping out the angles 🔥@naomiosaka | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/fVmL0y4qdl
— wta (@WTA) March 23, 2022
The win was Osaka’s 50th at WTA 1000 level.
Osaka said that her Indian Wells exit motivated her to bounce back.
“The last match I played wasn’t the greatest memory for me,” Osaka said during an on-court interview after her win at the Hard Rock Stadium.
“I just wanted to prove I could come back out here, compete and have the best attitude I could.”
Osaka served well to give Sharma no opening in their match.
The two-time Australian Open champion lost just two points on her first serve and six behind her second.
It was no easy win though as Osaka found it tough to convert break points, clinching just two of the 11 Sharma offered up.
Osaka faces Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the next round. The two women have a storied history but the German has edged their rivalry.
Her win over Kerber at the 2017 US Open was Osaka’s first over a top ten player, but she has lost all four of their subsequent matches.
In other action on Wednesday, 16-year-old wildcard Linda Fruhvirtova routed Danka Kovinic 6-0, 6-4 in just 1 hour and 14 minutes.
Kovinic was out-manoeuvred by No.279-ranked Fruhvirtova throughout.
The result was Fruhvirtova’s first completed Top 100 victory, previously getting passed Alizé Cornet via retirement at last year’s Charleston 250.
American Madison Brengle would not entertain an upset at the hands of another 16-year-old wildcard, Alexandra Eala, as she defeated the Filipina 6-2, 6-1.
Irina-Camelia Begu roared back after losing a tight first set to beat 20-year-old wildcard Hailey Baptiste 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-1 and set up a second-round clash with No.1 seed Aryna Sabalenka.
Aliaksandra Sasnovich edged 20-year-old qualifier Wang Xinyu 7-6(6), 6-4.
Latest
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic ‘is back’ says John McEnroe as he makes world No 1 ‘very slight’ favourite for Roland Garros title
John McEnroe tipping Novak Djokovic to win the 2022 French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev insists ‘if I can play Wimbledon I will be happy to be there, even without points’
Daniil Medvedev would jump at the chance to play at Wimbledon.
-
Live Tennis
Tennis365’s live scores and results centre: Follow the French Open here
Aaaaand it’s live! Follow the action from Roland Garros…
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios has ‘bigger fish to fry’ after Bernard Tomic challenges him ‘sort this out in the boxing ring’
Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic won’t be stepping into a boxing ring any time soon.
-
French Open
Irina-Camelia Begu escapes disqualification after ’embarrassing moment’ left young fan in tears
“I just want to apologise,” says Irina-Camelia Begu.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon to finally ditch the ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ prefixes on its famous honours boards as it modernises
Welcome to 2022 Wimbledon.
-
French Open
French Open day five: Madison Keys gets entangled, France’s wildcard wonder, a close shave for young fan
A review of the latest action from Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Simona Halep ‘recovered and smiling’ again as she reveals she suffered a panic attack at French Open
Simona Halep smiling again after panic attack.
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev now loves playing in France
The Russian’s relationship with Paris has been a slow burner.
-
French Open
Dan Evans ‘couldn’t care less’ about being booed off
The British number two lost in straight sets to Swede Mikael Ymer,