4-time main winner Naomi Osaka held off a late cost from Italy‘s Lucia Bronzetti to keep away from a first-round exit on the French Open.
Japan‘s Osaka got here via 6-1 4-6 7-5 for her first victory at Roland Garros in three years.
The victory might have been swifter for Osaka, who led 4-0 within the third set earlier than Bronzetti mounted a late problem.
The previous world primary is enjoying in simply her second main since getting back from maternity go away in January.
It has arrange a probable second-round assembly with defending champion and heavy title favorite Iga Swiatek, who takes on France‘s Leolia Jeanjean on Monday.
“It feels very nice to be again and I am grateful to be right here in entrance of everyone,” stated Osaka.
Now ranked 134th on the planet, Osaka has by no means superior previous the final 32 on the French Open, whereas her 4 Grand Slam triumphs have come on laborious courts.
Osaka reeled off 5 video games in a row to wrap up the primary set in simply 27 minutes on a gusty Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier.
However Bronzetti grew into the match and, after struggling to problem Osaka’s serve all through the second set, transformed a vital break level at 5-4 to pressure a decider.
Remarkably, the world quantity 67 clawed her manner again from a double break down within the third earlier than Osaka broke as soon as extra to regain her lead and serve out the 2 hour back-and-forth contest.
The victory marks progress for the 26-year-old, who says she is “embracing clay much more” after beforehand struggling on the floor.
