2022 Madrid Open: Osaka batters Potapova, win for Sakkari
Former world number one Naomi Osaka thumped Russia's Anastasia Potapova in the first round of the 2022 Madrid Open. Osaka beat Potapova in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 to progress further. As per WTA, the current World No. 36 has won 10 of the last 11 fixtures against Potapova. Meanwhile, number four seed Maria Sakkari outclassed America's Madison Keys 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-4. Here's more.
Osaka overcomes Potapova in straight sets
The match lasted just over an hour. It was Osaka's first match since her Miami Open final earlier this April. Notably, it was her first clay-court match of the season. Osaka dished out six aces and won 88% on her first serve. Osaka won 32 points of her serves. She garnered a total of 59 points to Potapova's 35.
Trying to be more positive with myself, says Osaka
"I'm honestly trying to be more positive with myself. This year I came a week early to train on red clay, so just trying to give myself more chances to do better. To be able to do it in two sets, for me, it's a really good starting block," said Osaka post the comfortable win over Potapova.
Sakkari fends off her three-match losing streak
Sakkari outclassed Keys to claim a second-round spot. It was Sakkari's first win since losing the Indian Wells final to Iga Swiatek last month. She had lost in the opening rounds at the Miami Open and Stuttgart Open. Sakkari will be up against Russia's Daria Kasatkina, who beat Anna Bondar in three sets. Notably, Sakkari has lost in all three meetings against Kasatkina.
Wins for Raducanu, Collins, and Fernandez
Number nine seed Emma Raducanu will lock horns with Marta Kostyuk in the second round. Earlier, Raducanu pummelled Tereza Martincova 7-6(3), 6-0. 2022 Australia Open finalist and sixth seed Danielle Collins beat Monica Puig 7-5, 6-0. She will face Bianca Andreescu next. Andreescu overcame Alison Riske 6-4, 3-6, 6-0. 17th seed Leylah Fernandez beat Andrea Petkovic 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. She will face Jil Teichmann.
Some of the other key results
Other crucial women's singles results: Anhelina Kalinina beat Sloane Stephens 7-5, 6-4. Garbine Muguruza beat Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-2. Jil Teichmann beat Petra Kvitova 6-3, 7-5. Elena Rybakina beat Oceane Dodin 6-2, 7-5.
Azarenka reaches round of 16
In the round of 32, Victoria Azarenka beat Tamara Zidansek on Saturday. She lost the first set 3-6 before making a comeback to win 6-1, 6-3.
