Sun shines for Osaka with first clay test at Madrid Open

Naomi Osaka passed her first clay-court test of the season with flying colours, snapping the nine-match winning streak of Anastasia Potapova with a smooth 6-3, 6-1 victory to reach the second round of the Madrid Open.

The former world No.1, who received entry into the tournament via a wildcard, needed just 61 minutes to ease past Russia's Potapova, who was coming off a title run in Istanbul last week and won nine consecutive matches on clay coming into their showdown.

"I wouldn't say it was an easy match, I feel like I just adjusted a little bit. It's really good to be playing on clay again," said Osaka.

She next takes on home favourite Sara Sorribes Tormo or last year's Roland Garros runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Osaka hit six aces and dropped just three points behind her first serve in her first meeting with Potapova.

Earlier in the day, former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu recorded her first top-50 victory on clay with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 dismissal of American Alison Riske.

"I have to say that compared to last year, this year is much, much better. I was in quarantine last year because I caught Covid, so to be here actually playing the tournament this year is incredible," said Andreescu, who takes on Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins in the second round.

No.4 seed Maria Sakkari survived a tough two-hour 30-minute duel with American power-hitter Madison Keys, saving five out of seven break points en route to a 6-7(8/10), 6-3, 6-4 result.

The 26-year-old Greek, who next faces Russian former top-10 player Daria Kasatkina, picked up her first victory since losing the Indian Wells final to Iga Swiatek nearly six weeks ago, having lost her Miami opener and having retired during her Stuttgart first round last week.

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