Naomi Osaka secured a significant victory by defeating No. 4 seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Libema Open on Tuesday. This marks Osaka’s first win on grass since 2019, achieved in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. The former World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan delivered seven aces and saved the only break point she faced against Belgium’s Mertens, wrapping up the match in 69 minutes.
Other Matches at Libema Open
In other matches featuring seeded players at the Libema Open, No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula triumphed over Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich with a score of 6-2, 6-2. Third seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia defeated Australia’s Arina Rodionova 6-3, 6-4. China’s sixth seed Yuan Yue overcame a slow start to beat Russia’s Diana Shnaider 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. A match between eighth-seeded Magda Linette and Robin Montgomery was suspended at 5-5 in the third set, with Linette winning the first set 7-6 (4) and Montgomery taking the second 6-3.
Rothesay Open Highlights
At the Rothesay Open in Nottingham, England, Britain’s Emma Raducanu eased past Japan’s Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-4 in her opening round. After skipping the French Open to prepare for the grass-court season, Raducanu converted six of eight break points and completed the match in 70 minutes, despite a brief stumble after leading 5-1 in the second set.
No. 1 seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia started her campaign with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. Fifth-seeded Magdalena Frech of Poland defeated Japan’s Nao Hibino 6-1, 6-4. However, the tournament saw two early exits from seeded players, with No. 2 seed Marta Kostyuk falling 6-3, 6-3 to fellow Ukrainian Daria Snigur, and No. 8 seed Caroline Dolehide losing 7-6 (3), 6-3 to Britain’s Francesca Jones.
