TOKYO - Japan's former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka defeated Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 7-6(4) in the Pan Pacific Open first round Tuesday, marking Osaka's first appearance at the tournament in four years.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka, ranked 18th in the world, saved three set points while trailing 6-5 in the second set and forced a tiebreak before defeating 35th-ranked Paolini at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo.
After getting the first break of the match, the 2019 tournament winner Osaka let Paolini back into the first set at 3-3 but sent a forehand winner down the line for her second break to lead 5-3 en route to taking the set.
Paolini broke back to again tie at 3-3 in the second set, but her failure to make the most of her three set points to secure a break and send the match to the final set proved costly, with Osaka dominating the tiebreak.
"The match was really difficult. I played her once before and I lost, so I'm really glad to be on the home court and win," said Osaka, who entered the court in a crane-themed outfit paying tribute to Japan.
"I haven't been here in a little bit of a while, so it's nice to bring a bit of a show here too," she said before sending her message in Japanese. "I just feel really happy, and I really appreciate your support."
