Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has kicked off her clay-court season with an unexpected loss in the first round of the WTA Madrid Open. Facing Italy's Lucia Bronzetti, Osaka battled hard but fell 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, despite arriving close to claiming the match at one point.
Ranked 55 and unseeded, Osaka was returning to competition after nearly a month-long break following her Miami Open run. Her loss underlines the challenge of adapting to the slower clay surface, which often tests even the most celebrated players.
In other Madrid Open news, 19-year-old Alexandra Eala is set for a rematch with Poland's Iga Swiatek in the second round. After an impressive 6-3, 6-2 victory over Viktoriya Tomova, the wild card entry has quickly become a talk of the tournament. Eala’s rising performance adds extra intrigue for tennis fans, promising more high-energy clay-court action ahead. 🎾
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Osaka's clay-court season starts with a loss in Madrid Open 1st round
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