French Open: China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Yafan make winning starts, Osaka into second round in Paris
- Zhang beats Australian Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, while Wang downs Maria Timofeeva 6-3, 6-3
- Naomi Osaka’s win her first at a grand slam since 2022, and sets up potential clash with Iga Świątek
China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Yafan got their French Open campaigns off to a strong start on Sunday, while Naomi Osaka reached the second round for the first time in three years at Roland Garros.
His country’s only representative in the men’s singles, Zhang wrapped up a relatively straightforward 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic to get the day’s proceedings under way on Court 9.
Compatriot Wang, one of four Chinese women in action on the first day, bounced back from three games down in the second set to beat Russia’s Maria Timofeeva 6-3, 6-3.
Victory took Wang through to the second round for the first time in three main draw appearances in Paris, where she will next face Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, who beat Australian wild card Ajla Tomljanovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Later on Sunday, Wang’s compatriots Wang Xiyu and Zhouxuan Bai face each other, and Wang Xinyu takes on Germany’s Jule Niemeier.
Osaka, meanwhile, can look forward to an expected second round clash with world No 1 Iga Świątek, although Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti gave her a fight on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The Japanese star, who took a 16-month hiatus from tennis in September 2022 to start a family, was inconsistent but secured a 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 win.
“It feels really nice to be back and I’m just really grateful to be here in front of everybody,” said Osaka. “I think there were moments when I played really well.”
Up next is expected to be her fellow four-time grand slam champion Swiatek, if the Pole sees off Leolia Jeanjean on Monday.
Sunday was Osaka’s first match win at a grand slam event since the 2022 Australian Open, after losing in the French Open and US Open opening rounds that year and at Melbourne Park earlier this season.
