Tennis: Naomi Osaka advances to 2nd round in Washington

Japan's Naomi Osaka got off to a winning start in the Citi Open women's singles on Tuesday, posting a straight-sets victory over American Bernarda Pera in the first round.The third-seeded Osaka, who is making her debut at the July 30 to Aug. 5 hardcourt tournament, prevailed 6-2, 7-6(4) in a rain-delayed match at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington.The world No. 17 claimed the first break of the match in the sixth game with a backhand winner before breaking Pera's serve again to seal the first set.Though playing with a taped right thigh, Osaka managed to pull off eight aces and won …READ FULL ARTICLE