Follow us on Google Discover Naomi Osaka has made a winning start in her return home to the Japan Open in Osaka.
Osaka split with Patrick Mouratoglou after Wimbledon this year, bringing in Iga Swiatek’s former coach Tomasz Wiktorowski to help her instead.
This change has appeared to help the former world number one, who has reached the Canadian Open final and US Open semifinals, but Osaka struggled in China after only winning one match.
However, after Osaka was given an opportunity at the Japan Open, she made a positive start in returning to form.
Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka has high praise for Japanese teenager after beating her in Osaka
Naomi Osaka, who was aptly born in Osaka, was drawn to play Japanese 17-year-old Wakana Sonobe in the first round of the Japan Open.
Sonobe is the reigning Australian Open junior champion and has already won a match on the WTA Tour this year, with the teenager climbing from outside the top 800 to her current ranking of world number 266 in 2025.
This was a first-time meeting between the two compatriots, with Osaka showing her experience by beating Sonobe, 6-0 6-4.
Despite the comfortable victory, Osaka appeared to be impressed with Sonobe when speaking in her on-court interview.
“Thank you for coming out,” said Osaka. “I thought it was a really good match. She is going to be an amazing player, so I hope you guys had a lot of fun watching.”
Osaka added, “It was really tough. I did not know how she played beforehand so I tried to understand during the match. I was just having a lot of fun.”
Naomi Osaka told what she could improve after Japan Open win
Although Osaka was able to win her match in 76 minutes, there was still some feedback as to what she could have done better.
The serve is often thought to be one of Osaka’s big weapons, and she did win 84% of her points on the first serve.
Photo by PAUL MILLER/AFP via Getty Images
However, Sky Sports commentator Oscar Chamberlain thought Osaka could do with increasing her first serve percentage, which was actually below 50%.
“She was an overwhelming favourite and did a good job here,” said Chamberlain. “She lived up to those expectations. Particularly in the first set when she was totally dominant.
“The second set was a lot tougher. Had to stay focused and work hard, particularly in those closing moments. She would like to get that first serve percentage up, perhaps [from 47%]. She won 84% of points behind her first serve and 72% behind her second.”
Osaka continues to look to win her first main tour title since the Australian Open in 2021, and she will now await the winner of the match between Emiliana Arango and Suzan Lamens.