On Sunday, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka overcame an early scare to defeat unseeded Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in the first round of the French Open. This victory was her first at Roland Garros in three years.
After a 15-month maternity leave, Osaka lost in the first round of the Australian Open in January. In Paris, she initially dominated, leading Bronzetti from the start. However, Osaka nearly collapsed in the last set, dropping a 4-0 lead before winning the two-hour match. If Swiatek defeats French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean on Monday, she might face champion Iga Swiatek in the second round.
“I’m quite excited. “I watched her (Swiatek) a lot when I was pregnant,” Osaka admitted. “It’s an honour to play her in the French Open.”
Osaka dominated the first set in 28 minutes but committed numerous unforced errors in the second, allowing Bronzetti to break and force a decision. In the final set, Osaka lost her 5-0 lead as Bronzetti came back, earning Osaka’s praise with some victories.
Osaka, regaining composure, broke in the eleventh game to seal the match. Reflecting on her perspective, she acknowledged focusing on her prior losses. However, she managed to refocus near the conclusion, hoping to avoid similar difficulties in the future.
