Naomi Osaka data map
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka won her comeback debut on January 1 with her first win over Germany's Kopacz 6-3 7-6(9) in the first round of the WTA 250 Brisbane Women's Singles to claim her first victory in 15 months.
Naomi Osaka welcomed the birth of her daughter Shou in July this year, and has since teamed up with former coach Fisette to prepare for her comeback. In her post-match on-court interview, she said: "In the first few years of my daughter, I didn't respond well to the love that people gave me, and in the next chapter of my career, I hope I can do it. I really appreciate everyone who has come and supported me, I used to be just a kid who watched role models, so now I'm on the field, and sometimes it feels like a dream. ”
Naomi Osaka last competed in Tokyo 2022, and in her debut on tour for the first time in over a year, she didn't show much unfamiliarity with the court. Her next opponent in the second round will be three-time champion Karolina Pliskova, and it will be a battle between the two former and back. The last time the pair met was in Brisbane four years ago, when they met in the semi-finals, with Karolina Pliskova saving match point to win in three sets.
Wang Xiyu data map
At WTA 250 Auckland at the same time, China's Wang Xiyu made a one-day double victory, beating Romania's Christian 6-1 5-7 7-6(3) to get the season off to a flying start, before partnering compatriot Yuan Yue to beat Blinkova Grachova 6-1 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's Doubles.
Wang Xiyu's opponent in the women's singles round will be between Wang Xinyu and Putintseva, and she is expected to usher in the first Chinese derby of the new season.
Text, edited by Faye Wong, picture Visual China).