WTA roundup: Naomi Osaka easily wins opener in Osaka

Field Level Media|published: Mon 13th October, 11:02 2025

Sep 4, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Amanda Anisimova of the United States in the semifinal of the women’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Top seed Naomi Osaka overwhelmed 17-year-old Wakana Sonobe 6-0, 6-4 in the opening round of the Japan Open in Osaka on Monday.

Osaka needed just 76 minutes to oust her Japanese countrywoman, using eight aces and winning 83% of her first serves (15 of 18). Osaka also converted five of 13 break opportunities.

Katie Boulter of Great Britain eliminated Czech Linda Noskova, the No. 2 seed, 7-6 (3), 6-3, to post her second Top 20 win of 2025. Ashlyn Krueger needed three sets to defeat Maria Sakkari of Greece 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands easily defeated Colombia's Emiliana Arango 6-1, 6-2, while Romania's Sorana Cirstea came from behind to defeat Moyuka Uchijima of Japan 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Ningbo Open

Sixth-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland fought off all eight break points she faced and defeated Magda Linette of Poland 6-3, 6-2 in the first round in Ningbo, China.

No. 7 seed Diana Shnaider defeated Chinese wild card Xiyu Wang 7-5, 6-3. Shnaider trailed 3-0 in the first set and 3-1 in the second set before rallying.

In a match between qualifiers, Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva beat Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-2 for her first tour-level win since July. Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey topped Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, and McCartney Kessler crushed Sofia Kenin 6-1, 6-0 in 53 minutes in an all-American clash.

--Field Level Media