Naomi Osaka marked her return from injury with a confident performance at the BNP Paribas Open, advancing to the third round with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over qualifier Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva on Friday.
The four-time Grand Slam champion admitted she was uncertain about both her opponent and her own form in her first match since withdrawing from the Australian Open third round due to an abdominal injury.
“It wasn’t, like, too positive,” Osaka said ahead of her return. “I was really disappointed at the Australian Open because it’s something I’ve struggled with before. Every year I can kind of feel it starting to happen. Then, ironically, while training I injured myself again. Hopefully that’s enough injuries for the whole year. I’m just grateful to be out here and playing.”
Osaka began the match strongly, winning the first four games to take a 5-1 lead. However, Jimenez Kasintseva rallied to win the next three games, breaking Osaka twice to level the set. The 16th-ranked Japanese player quickly regained composure to close out the first set and secure a straight-sets victory.
Reflecting on her performance, Osaka was pleased to have improved on last year’s disappointing first-round exit in California, when she lost to Camila Osorio in what she described as the “worst match I’ve ever played in my life.”
“Last year I didn’t do too well here, so I think I already exceeded the previous year. I just hope I can keep going,” she said.
Osaka will next face Osorio, who progressed after a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over American Iva Jovic.
