WTA San Jose: Naomi Osaka successfully started the tournament with her father
The Japanese ex-world number one Naomi Osaka defeated the Chinese Qinwen Zheng in three sets at the WTA Tour 500 tournament in San Jose.
by SID/red.
last edit: Aug 03, 2022, 09:17 am
Former tennis world number one Naomi Osaka fought her way back to her comeback after a two-month injury break. At the hard court tournament in San Jose, the Japanese kicked off the Chinese Zheng Qinwen 6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 1. Her father Leonard Francois was the coach for the game for the first time since 2019.
Osaka has not played a game since leaving the French Open due to pain in her left Achilles tendon. In the round of 16, the four-time Grand Slam winner, who has slipped to 41st place in the world rankings, meets the French Open finalist Coco Gauff from the USA, who beat the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina 6: 1, 6: 0 in her opening game left no chance.
First match since May
"It's really cool to finally play again," Osaka said. "I didn't even realize I hadn't played since May. Someone told me that."
Osaka was particularly pleased with her father's return as a coach. "He always makes me smile," said the 24-year-old. She was "really happy". Osaka and her previous coach Wim Fissette ended their collaboration in mid-July. The Belgian had looked after her since the end of 2019.