Former top-ranked Naomi Osaka started the China Open with a routine 6-3, 6-2 victory over Lucia Bronzetti of Italy on Wednesday.

The four-time grand slam champion was the headline act on the opening day and showed her class in closing out the first-round match against the No.77-ranked Italian player in 83 minutes.

Osaka, who claimed the 2019 China Open before Covid-19 and a WTA boycott of China over the wellbeing of Peng Shuai forced the cancellation of tournaments in China for four years, next plays Yulia Putintseva, a 21st-seeded player from Kazahkstan, in the second round.

“I’m glad that I’m able to be able to play on this court again,” Osaka said on court. “And I hope to be able to lift a trophy again sometime soon.”

After trading breaks in the first set, Osaka made the decisive break in the seventh game of the first set.

On the back of some big serving she increased the pressure in the second set, breaking Bronzetti twice more to seal victory.

Former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin progressed with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Ana Bogdan of Romania.

The 25-year-old Kenin, one of a record 15 American women in the draw in Beijing, next plays 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider in the second round.

American Taylor Townsend will join Kenin in the second round after beating Martina Trevisan 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Also, China’s Wang Xinyu beat Mai Hontama of Japan 6-1, 6-3 and Yuliia Starodubtseva defeated Laura Siegemund 6-4, 7-6 (3).

US Open champion and top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka begins her tournament in the second round on Friday against the winner of the match between Zarina Diyas and Mananchaya Sawangkaew.

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek, a winner of four WTA 1000 events this season, is not playing this week citing personal reasons.

The men’s tournament begins Thursday and is headlined by top-ranked Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who accounted for all four Grand Slam titles this season.

Second-ranked Alexander Zverev said earlier in the week he would not be playing in Beijing as he recovers from an illness.

New coach

Osaka is hopeful that her stint with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou will develop into a long-term partnership.

The 26-year-old split with coach Wim Fissette earlier this month after four years together across two stints and arrived in Beijing this week with Mouratoglou, who previously guided her idol Serena Williams to 10 of her 23 major titles.

Former world No. 1 Osaka is looking to reignite her career following a patchy run of form having returned to the tour nine months ago after a long maternity
break.

“I’m calling him my coach right now. I didn’t know there was a lot of interest in my players box. I’d say he’s my coach right now,” Osaka said.

“I try not to get into relationships with people for the short-term.

“I try to think of it as a long-term commitment. I like the way he coaches. I think it’s going to be really interesting.”

Reuters, AP/PTI