Indian Wells 2022 - Naomi Osaka makes winning return to the WTA Tour with a round one victory over Sloane Stephens

Naomi Osaka made a winning return to tennis as she edged out fellow Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens in a blockbuster of a first round match at Indian Wells. The Japanese star secured a 3-6 6-1 6-2 success in one hour and 53 minutes to cap an impressive comeback despite showing obvious signs of rust in windy conditions in the desert. Ad/> Speaking on court following her first ever victory over Stephens at the third time of asking, she said: “It means a lot (to be back here).

Sloane is such a champion and hopefully next time we play will be in more ideal conditions. But it was really great to be out here again. The energy was so cool.

TennisOsaka returns to Indian Wells ‘at peace’ after early exit at the Australian Open17 HOURS AGO “I haven’t played in wind for a while. It felt very new to me. I felt like I was fighting for my life! I was playing against her and the wind.

But I felt she was going through the same conditions so I just willed myself to fight as hard as I could.” 'They know her game' — Evert says there's more pressure on Raducanu now Legends Voice — Henin on success after painful period of time Gauff speaks out against 'don't say gay' bill Ahead of a tournament she won back in 2018, Osaka had spoken about being at peace with herself as she looks to put a difficult 2021 season and a surprise third round exit at this year’s Australian Open behind her. /> It didn’t start particularly well for the former world number one though as a double fault in the first point of the contest kicked off a service game that saw her immediately broken. However, Stephens appeared equally nervy despite the early gift and a rollercoaster, error-strewn opening set ensued.