ROME: Former world number one Naomi Osaka made a strong statement at Italian Open on Wednesday, defeating home hope Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3 in the first round.

Errani, currently ranked 177th in the WTA standings, struggled to keep pace with Osaka’s powerful game.

The Italian veteran, a finalist in Rome back in 2013, had a chance when she broke Osaka’s serve to lead 3-1 in the second set. However, the Japanese star quickly regained control, winning five consecutive games to advance.

Osaka’s victory sets up a second-round clash against ninth-seeded Paula Badosa, who received a bye in the first round.

Viktoria Azarenka also advanced to the second round, defeating Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-3 The Belarusian will next face Poland’s Magdalena Frech, the 26th seed.

Kamilla Rakhimova, entering the tournament as a lucky loser after replacing Marketa Vondrousova, downed China’s Xinyu Wang 6-3, 6-2 and will next take on Emma Navarro, the 10th seed from the United States.

Maria Sakkari advanced after Belinda Bencic retired due to injury, while trailing 6-2 after the first set, with the Greek to play 32nd seed Magda Linette next.

Also on Wednesday, Canadians Bianca Andreescu and Victoria Mboko cruised to wins over local hopes.

Andreescu faced few problems from Italy’s Federica Urgesi in a 6-0, 6-3 victory and will face 20th seed Donna Vekic of Croatia in the second round.

Earlier, Mboko posted a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Arianna Zucchini She will face fourth seed Coco Gauff of the United States in the second round.

In the men’s section, lucky loser Cameron Norrie of Britain beat Australia’s Christopher O’Connell 6-3, 6-2 to move into the second round at the Foro Italico.

Norrie, ranked 91, next plays No. 10 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2025