Naomi Osaka says she is “embracing the clay much more now” as she captured her first victory on the floor since 2022 within the Madrid Open first spherical on Wednesday.
The Japanese former world primary grew up taking part in on onerous courts in the USA and has largely struggled on the pink dust through the years.
However again on the Caja Magica for the primary time in two years, Osaka seemed snug throughout her 6-4, 6-1 win over Belgian fortunate loser Greet Minnen to e-book a second-round assembly with fifteenth seed Liudmila Samsonova.
It was simply the fourth victory on clay for Osaka for the reason that begin of 2021 and the four-time Grand slam champion is hopeful it gained’t be her final in Madrid this fortnight.
“I’ve had a number of ‘incidents’ on clay however I’m embracing it much more now,” the 26-year-old Osaka informed reporters within the Spanish capital.
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“I really feel like there’s undoubtedly magnificence to it. I’m taking lots of inspiration from those that do very effectively right here. I’m not anticipating to be like, Iga (Swiatek), or one thing, however I simply need to do the very best with what I’ve.”
On Arantxa Sanchez stadium on Wednesday, Osaka was breezing via her service video games within the opening set however couldn’t convert any of her first three break level alternatives earlier than she lastly bought the break she wanted within the tenth sport to take a one-set lead.
The second set was a stroll in comparison with the primary as Osaka constructed a 5-0 benefit and secured the win with a backhand winner on the 79-minute mark.
“I believe I slid a few occasions to my forehand fairly effectively, so I used to be enthusiastic about that,” defined Osaka.
“She was hitting actually good drop pictures however I believe I bought to a few fairly effectively.
“I believe simply movement-wise I’m feeling much more snug. I believe shot-wise, I hit a few heavy balls. Hopefully I’m in a position to proceed that.”
Osaka has additional motivation to do effectively on clay this season because of the truth the Olympic Video games will likely be performed on the pink dust at Roland Garros this summer time.
“The Olympics are a very large purpose for me. I might actually like to play them,” she stated.
Subsequent up, fellow former US Open champion Emma Raducanu was not as lucky because the Brit fell 6-2, 6-2 to Argentinian qualifier Maria Lourdes Carle in a single hour and 25 minutes.
Contemporary off a title run in Rouen final week, 2016 US Open champion Sloane Stephens picked up a sixth consecutive win on clay with a hard-fought 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 success in opposition to Italian Martina Trevisan.
Residence favorite and former world quantity two Paula Badosa, who’s scuffling with long-term again ache since she sustained a stress fracture final yr, crashed out 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Spanish qualifier Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.