Osaka happier

Naomi Osaka got back on court — and back in front of reporters’ microphones — for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open in May to take a mental health break. The Japanese superstar who lit the Olympic cauldron defeated 52ndranked Zheng Saisai of China 6-1, 6-4 in her opening match. Osaka revealed in May that she has dealt with depression and stopped talking with reporters, saying the experience gave her “huge waves of anxiety”. She was “happy” reporters were asking her questions, but then added: “I feel a little bit out of my body right now.” Meanwhile, Andy Murray’s bid for a third straight Olympic singles gold medal ended before it began when he withdrew shortly before his first match with a minor thigh strain. And world No 1 Ash Barty was shocked in the first round by 48th-ranked Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo

6-4, 6-3 just 15 days after Barty won Wimbledon for her second Grand Slam title.