Osaka makes winning start to US Open title defence

Defending champion Naomi Osaka got her US Open campaign up and running smoothly with a straight-sets win over Marie Bouzkova. The third seed allayed any fears about a lack of matches during what has been a turbulent year after her withdrawal from the French Open and decision to skip Wimbledon. She was made to work […]

Defending champion Naomi Osaka got her US Open campaign up and running smoothly with a straight-sets win over Marie Bouzkova.

The third seed allayed any fears about a lack of matches during what has been a turbulent year after her withdrawal from the French Open and decision to skip Wimbledon.

She was made to work hard for the opening set, saving three break points at 1-1 before eventually forcing the break to clinch it in game 10.

But Osaka, a two-time champion in New York, promptly raced away in the second set to register a 6-4 6-1 victory.