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Former world no. 1 Naomi Osaka advanced to the second round of the Silicon Valley Classic on Tuesday. Osaka, who’s playing her first event this season since losing in the opening round of the French Open in May, beat Qinwen Zheng in two hours and two minutes, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Osaka won 81% of her first-serve points to Zheng’s 72%. She also saved seven of the eight break points she faced. The only time she lost her serve was in the second set. On the other hand, Osaka went on to convert three break points on her opponent’s serve.
For the match, Osaka ended up with three more winners than unforced errors – 26 to 23 while her opponent had 23 winners and seven more unforced errors (30). After her win, Osaka said, “I have a lot of confidence in myself in third sets.
I'm not sure if it's subconscious or not but I do remember thinking it's going to be hard for her to break me. Because I learned a lot from challenging that last ball in that game that I did get broken. I think that's one thing that I have above her is that I have a lot of experience.
I've definitely played more matches than her, so it's going to be interesting to watch her grow”.
Silicon Valley Classic: Former US Open victor exits
In the second round, Osaka will play sixth seed Coco Gauff. The American defeated Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, 6-1, 6-0 in just 54 minutes in their first-round clash.
Shelby Rogers ousted Bianca Andreescu in their first-round clash in San Jose. The American pocketed a 6-4, 6-2 win after an hour and 31 minutes of play. Rogers will play the top-seeded Maria Sakkari for the chance to reach the quarter-finals.
Another American who reached the second round on Tuesday was Caroline Dolehide. Dolehide came through a derby against qualifier Kayla Day, 7-6(5), 6-4 and will take on fourth seed Aryna Sabalenka next. Lastly, ninth seed Veronika Kudermetova reached the second round of the Silicon Valley Classic.
Kudermetova beat Camila Giorgi 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5 and will play American Claire Liu. Liu defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-5 in their opener. Photo Credit: Silicon Valley Classic Twitter