MY ACCOUNT
Naomi Osaka’s return to the French Open ended in a round-one defeat as Amanda Anisimova had her opponent’s number in a grand slam for the second time in 2022.
A year ago, Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros after a first-round win over Patricia Maria Tig, citing mental health issues amid intense media scrutiny and having been fined for skipping press duties.
Speaking prior to her opening-round match on this occasion, Osaka opened up about fearing a negative reaction from the Paris crowd.
While the fans in attendance greeted her with warmth, Osaka fell 7-5 6-4 to Anisimova in a tough battle on Court Suzanne Lenglen, having also lost to her in round three of the Australian Open back in January.
Having initially looked sluggish and dropped each of her opening two service games, Osaka found some rhythm and Anisimova had to serve to stay in the set.
She did just that, though, and in a monster 11th game Osaka double faulted to cede the advantage, with Anisimova serving out to love.
Another double-fault gift at 3-3 in the second gave Anisimova the break, and she recovered from 0-40 down in the next game to consolidate.
Anisimova’s quality was not quite at the same level in the second as the first, but she still served out the match at the first available opportunity to dump out the four-time grand slam champion.
DATA SLAM: Gifts aplenty
Osaka’s record on the clay is not particularly great. Heading into this one her record read 21-17, and she complained of an Achilles issue in a recent early exit in Madrid. Here, there were glimpses of her excellent move and racquet striking but eight double faults is far too high against an opponent the calibre of Anisimova. Both players gave up 29 unforced errors, but Anisimova fared way better in the winners tally (27-13).
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Osaka – 13/29
Anisimova – 27/29
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Osaka – 4/8
Anisimova – 5/2
BREAK POINTS WON
Osaka – 2/5
Anisimova – 4/10
