World No 1 Osaka negotiates tough Sakkari test

World No 1 Naomi Osaka survived a tough test against Maria Sakkari to reach the second round of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham.

Osaka is not particularly comfortable on grass and it was a tough draw against Greek Sakkari, who has had a strong year.

After winning the first set comfortably, Osaka lost the second and was taken to a decider but coming through a long fifth game set her on the way to a 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory.

She admitted on Monday that she was not feeling comfortable on the surface and this was only the 11th tour-level match she has won on grass.

Osaka’s winning grand slam run came to an end in the third round of the French Open after she had claimed the US Open and Australian Open titles back to back and Ashleigh Barty’s victory in Paris moved the Australian to within striking distance at the top of the rankings.

Osaka needs to reach the final in Birmingham to guarantee holding onto top spot heading into Wimbledon, but she is trying to worry less about such matters.

In the second round, Osaka will face Kazakh Yulia Putintseva, who defeated British No 4 Harriet Dart 6-1 6-4.

Rain washed out much of the schedule, with second seed Barty among those who will have to try again today.

Eighth seed Julia Goerges recovered from a set down to defeat Dayana Yastremska 3-6 6-3 6-4 while former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko eased past Wimbledon junior champion Iga Swiatek 6-0 6-2 and will now face British No 1 Johanna Konta.

Maria Sharapova made a winning return from injury in the first round of the Mallorca Open. The former world No 1 had not played since February because of more problems with her right shoulder.

Sharapova came from a break down to beat Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova 7-6 (8) 6-0.

Naomi Osaka.