Naomi Osaka has reached the second round of the French Open for the first time in three years after holding off a late charge from Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti. The four-time major winner secured a 6-1 4-6 7-5 victory for her first win at Roland Garros in three years. Osaka, who led 4-0 in the third set before Bronzetti mounted a comeback, is playing in just her second major since returning from maternity leave in January.
Ranked 134th in the world, Osaka has never advanced past the last 32 at the French Open, with all her Grand Slam triumphs coming on hard courts. The win sets up a potential second-round showdown with defending champion and title favorite Iga Swiatek. Osaka expressed gratitude for being back on the court and mentioned that she is feeling comfortable playing on clay, a surface she has struggled on in the past.
Osaka dominated the first set, winning five games in a row in just 27 minutes. Bronzetti fought back in the second set and forced a decider by breaking Osaka’s serve at 5-4. Despite trailing by a double break in the third set, Bronzetti managed to level the score before Osaka broke once more to secure the win after a two-hour battle on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The victory shows progress for Osaka as she continues to adjust her game to perform better on clay.