Agency :
Japan’s Naomi Osaka powered through her opening match at the Tokyo Games on Sunday as world number one Ash Barty stumbled out of the tournament after a lacklustre, error-strewn performance. Osaka, who is aiming to become only the fourth singles player since 1988 to win Olympic gold on home soil, admitted to having the jitters but showed no signs of pressure in dismantling China’s Zheng Saisai 6-1 6-4 on Centre Court.
“I felt really nervous being in Japan and playing here for the first time in maybe two years, and for it to be my first Olympics,” Osaka told reporters.
“It was definitely really nerve-wracking. But I am glad I was able to win, she is a very tough opponent.”
The four-times Grand Slam champion, who lit the Olympic cauldron on Friday, is widely seen as one of Japan’s biggest medal contenders with all four of her major titles coming on hard courts – the same surface used at the Ariake Tennis Park. Osaka said she was feeling refreshed having been on an extended break since May to focus on her mental health.
The world number two was also unbothered by the sweltering heat that has troubled other players in Tokyo. “It feels fine for me… I love being here, and I actually really like the weather,” she said. On Saturday, the top two men’s players, Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, had called on organisers to move matches to the late afternoon to save players from the stifling conditions.
