Osaka won a grass match for the first time in five years

Former world number one Naomi Osaka (Japan, WTA 125) successfully started at the WTA 250 grass tournament in Hertogenbosch (Netherlands).

In the 1/16 finals of the competition, the Japanese player defeated Elise Mertens (Belgium, WTA 32) in two sets in 1 hour and 10 minutes.

WTA 250 Hertogenbosch. Grass. 1/16 finals

Elise Mertens (Belgium) [4] - Naomi Osaka (Japan) [WC] - 2:6, 4:6

This was the 6th meeting of the rivals. Osaka won the 4th face-to-face match.

For Osaka, this victory was the first on grass in almost 5 years. The previous one was obtained on June 17, 2019 at the tournament in Birmingham over Maria Sakkari - 6:1, 4:6, 6:3.

In the 2nd round of the tournament in the Netherlands, Naomi will play against another wild cardholder, Suzan Lamens.

Prior to the start of the competition in Hertogenbosch, Osaka played at Roland Garros, where she nearly beat future major winner Iga Świątek in the 1/32 final.

Video review of the match Elise Mertens - Naomi Osaka