Naomi Osaka, a former top-ranked tennis player, began her journey at the China Open with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Lucia Bronzetti of Italy. The four-time Grand Slam champion displayed her prowess on the court as she secured the first-round win against the 77th-ranked Italian player in 83 minutes. Osaka expressed her happiness in being able to compete again in this tournament, reminiscing about her victory at the 2019 China Open prior to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the WTA boycott of China over concerns regarding Peng Shuai’s well-being. In the next round, Osaka will face Yulia Putintseva, the 21st seed from Kazakhstan.

Following a competitive first set that saw breaks exchanged between the players, Osaka managed to secure a crucial break in the seventh game of the set. With strong serves and strategic plays, she maintained her momentum in the second set, breaking Bronzetti twice to claim victory. Other notable performances from the women’s tournament included Sofia Kenin, the former Australian Open winner, advancing with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Ana Bogdan of Romania. Kenin, among the 15 American women competing in Beijing, is set to face 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider in the next round.

The China Open also saw Taylor Townsend of the United States securing a spot in the second round after a hard-fought match against Martina Trevisan, which she won 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Wang Xinyu of China defeated Mai Hontama of Japan with a score of 6-1, 6-3, while Yuliia Starodubtseva claimed victory over Laura Siegemund with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (3). On the men’s side, Matteo Berrettini kicked off his Japan Open campaign with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands. The Italian player, known for his powerful serves, fired seven aces and broke van de Zandschulp four times during the match.

In upcoming matches at the Japan Open, Berrettini may face top-seeded Taylor Fritz in the second round. Fritz, who recently reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open, is scheduled to play against Frenchman Arthur Fils in his opening match. Meanwhile, top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are gearing up for their matches in the China Open, with Sabalenka set to begin her campaign in the second round and Swiatek opting out of the tournament this week due to personal reasons. The men’s tournament at the China Open is anticipated to commence soon, featuring top-ranked players such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have collectively dominated the Grand Slam events this season. Alexander Zverev, the second-ranked player, will not participate in Beijing as he focuses on recovering from an illness.