May 23, (THEWILL) – Naomi Osaka has been eliminated from the French Open first round after losing to Amanda Anisimova in straight sets.
The 24-year-old was returning to Roland-Garros following a stunning exit from the sport in 2021, citing mental health difficulties as the reason for her absence. Her clay court preparations were disrupted this year by an ankle ailment that forced her to skip the Italian Open before her travel to Paris.
After losing in the third round of the Australian Open to the same opponent earlier this year, Osaka struggled to keep up with Anisimova in the first set, as the American controlled both her first and second serves to win 7-5 6-4.
Anisimova, who reached the semi-finals at Roland-Garros in 2019 before losing to Ashleigh Barty in straight sets, is hoping for a deep run in Paris this time.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
