© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek have made winning starts to the Qatar Open in Doha, while Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing first-round defeat.
Osaka, a former world No. 1, ended her three-match losing streak in an impressive way as she defeated 2022 WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia 7-5 6-4 in her Doha opener.
Osaka, who lost to Garcia in straight sets at the Australian Open, didn’t start the match well as she got broken in the fifth game as the Frenchwoman led 5-3 through the opening eight games of the match. On the verge of losing the first set, Osaka impressively stormed back as she claimed back-to-back breaks in the 10th and 12th games to win four games in a row – overturn the deficit – and seal the opener.
After winning the first set, Osaka earned the first break of the second set in the 10th game – when Garcia was serving to stay in the match.
In the Doha second round, Osaka plays against Petra Martic.
Swiatek destroys Sorana Cirstea
Swiatek, the top-seeded player in Doha, also made an impressive start as she destroyed world No. 22 Cirstea 6-1 6-1.
Right from the start, Swiatek started putting pressure on Cirstea but the Romanian managed to save two break…
