Naomi Osaka Advances at China Open Under New Coach Patrick Mouratoglou

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka made a strong start at the China Open, easing past Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round. This marks Osaka’s first match with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou, as the four-time Grand Slam champion looks to rejuvenate her career.

Osaka, who claimed the China Open title in 2019, marked her return to Beijing by outclassing Bronzetti in just 83 minutes. The victory comes after Osaka began working with Mouratoglou in the lead-up to the Asian swing of the WTA tour, following a split with previous coach Wim Fissette after a disappointing second-round exit at the U.S. Open.

Speaking after her match, Osaka expressed her motivation to learn from Mouratoglou. “I think I’m at a stage in my life that I don’t want to have regrets,” Osaka stated. “I’d rather pull the trigger on something… I feel like I really need to learn as much as possible in this stage of my career. Patrick seemed like the guy with the information that I wanted to learn from.”

Smooth Sailing to the Second Round

After an early exchange of breaks, Osaka made the pivotal break in the seventh game of the first set to take control. She then increased the pressure in the second set, breaking Bronzetti twice to seal a comfortable victory. Osaka now faces 21st seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the second round.

Other Action in Beijing: Kenin Progresses

In other matches, former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin defeated Romania’s Ana Bogdan 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the second round. Kenin, one of a record 15 American women in the main draw, will face 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider next.

A Fresh Start for Osaka

This win is a positive beginning for Osaka as she looks to rebuild her form and confidence under the guidance of Mouratoglou. With a new coach and a fresh mindset, the 26-year-old is aiming to make a significant impact during the Asian swing and beyond.