WTA San Jose - Naomi Osaka survives Zheng Qinwen challenge to set up second round meeting with Coco Gauff

Naomi Osaka survived a hard-hitting encounter against Zheng Qinwen to set up a second-round meeting with Coco Gauff in San Jose. Osaka, playing her first tournament since exiting in the first round at Roland Garros, had lost her last four matches at the Silicon Valley Classic but found her groove in a three-set encounter to advance from a tricky opening match in California. Ad/> After splitting the first two sets, Osaka powered away in the decider to take the match 6-4 3-6 6-1, with her serve and power game working well to turn the screw.

WTA San JoseOsaka hoping to bring fun factor back with father in her corner14 HOURS AGO «I have a lot of confidence in myself in third sets,» Osaka said after securing victory. «I'm not sure if it's subconscious or not but I do remember thinking it's going to be hard for her to break me. »I think that's one thing that I have above her is that I have a lot of experience.

I've definitely played more matches than her, so it's going to be interesting to watch her grow." Osaka did not feature in the grass court season due to injury, and has also recently part ways with coach Wim Fissette. The four-time Grand Slam winner has reunited with her father, Leonard Francois, who guided her earlier in her career. She now faces a tough second-round encounter with Gauff, the sixth seed.