Naomi Osaka kicked off her Japan homecoming with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over Jasmine Paolini in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum on Tuesday.
The Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first set before Paolini fought back to draw level. The Italian world No. 35 had a break point for a 4-3 lead, but sent her forehand long, and Osaka promptly swept through the final three games of the set.
At the end of a tightly contested second set, world No. 18 Osaka saved three consecutive set points at 5-6 before winning the game and closing out the match in the tiebreak.
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