His entry into the tournament was eagerly awaited. Scheduled from 11 a.m. on Philippe-Chatrier court, world number 2, Naomi Osaka managed to extricate herself from a tricky first round by defeating the Romanian Patricia Maria Tig in two rounds – 6-4, 7-6 (4). The Japanese, who lacked consistency throughout the match (39 winning shots for 35 unforced errors), had to fight hard against the 63rd player in the world surly.
Bad results during its preparation
The latter, far from being impressed to play on an almost empty central, was not unworthy, taking advantage of the excitement of his opponent at certain times of the match and his still uncertain movements on clay. It’s no secret that Naomi Osaka isn’t the most comfortable when it comes to sliding on the ocher surface. Evidenced by his poor results during his preparation for the Parisian Grand Slam (entry defeat in Rome and in the second round in Madrid). To overcome this flaw, she offered herself last summer the services of Japanese Yutaka Nakamura, former physical trainer of Russian Maria Sharapova. The latter has joined a team already made up of Belgian coach Wim Fissette who has worked alongside Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters and Sabine Lisicki.
Despite a slight air gap at the end of the first set, the world number 2 was able to rely on the effectiveness of her first racket strokes (9 points out of 10 won behind her first ball) in order to keep her head out of control. water and thus afford a fifteenth victory in a row in a Grand Slam. The performance of the Japanese was closely scrutinized due to her shattering exit on post-match press conferences. Deeming them harmful to the mental health of players, Naomi Osaka simply decided to boycott them. This did not prevent her from answering a few questions from Fabrice Santoro on the court after his victory. The quick interview, based on Mother’s Day and her “Good feelings” of the day, made Japanese journalists cringe in the gallery. The organization of the tournament also sanctioned the player with a fine of 15,000 dollars (12,300 euros) for refusing to appear at a press conference after her match, specifying that “Repeated infractions could lead to more severe penalties, including exclusion from the tournament”.
A gloomy tricolor record
If it will not be remembered, this match will at least have had the merit of allowing Naomi Osaka to assess herself before a second round well within her reach which will oppose her to another Romanian: Ana Bogdan (102nd in the world), tombeuse of Elisabetta Cocciaretto (6-1, 6-3). In any case, she could not count on the support of an extinct audience, with scattered applause. The attraction at the start of the day was rather on the side of court n ° 9, the clamor of which could be heard from the center court. The French Enzo Couacaud (26 years old, 177th in the world) did honor to his wild card by winning in three sets 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-3, against Belarus Egor Gerasimov, 78th in the ‘ATP, marking the first French victory of the day in front of crowded stands. The tricolor will however have to create the feat in the second round to overcome the Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta, 12th in the world.
Grégoire Barrère (122nd worldwide) who also benefited from an invitation was less fortunate against the fantastic Fabio Fognini (29th worldwide). Despite a diesel start, the Italian made a clean copy, leaving the Frenchman no chance: 6-4, 6-1, 6-4. The young Elsa Jacquemot (18, 492nd in the world) logically bowed to Kazakhe Elena Rybakina, seed number 21: 6-4, 6-1 in 1 h 21. On the Simonne-Mathieu court , the record of the French is very dark. The Breton Clara Burel, 20, coached by the former champion Alexias Dechaume (46th world in 1992) lacked consistency against the Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (62nd world): 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) . Gilles Simon meanwhile lost after a big battle against the Hungarian Márton Fucsovics, 44th in the world: 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (5). Finally, the young hope Diane Parry (18 years old, 291 world) was not unworthy against the Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich (103rd world) before surrendering in three sets: 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
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