Wuhan, China — After Osaka Naomi dropped the first set at the WTA’s 1,000th level Wuhan Open on Tuesday, she rebounded and beat Leila Fernandez 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the second round.
Osaka returned to central China’s city for the first time since 2017, facing the first game of the day on Center Court against a player who had defeated him in a major upset at the 2021 US Open.
Fernandez managed to get one of his two breakpoint chances in the first set and hit a steady serve. However, Osaka increased pressure to return service in the second set, which had five service breaks, finishing with the top finalists at the 2021 US Open.
Emma Raducanu, who defeated Fernandez four years ago to win the US Open title, was at a disadvantage with Anne Lee 6-1 and 4-1 when she withdrew from the first round due to dizziness.
In other early matches, Sofia Kenin defeated Anastasia Zakharova 3-6, 7-6 (5) and 6-3, and faced 16th place Liudmira Samsonova, who defeated Emiliana Arango 6-1, 7-5 in the second round.
World No. 2 Iga Siffiatek was scheduled to make his Wuhan tournament debut in the second round against Marie Buzkova in the night session.
Top-ranked Arena Sabalenka and third-placed Coco Gauff were scheduled to open on Wednesday. World No. 4 Amanda Anishimova, who finished second in the US Open and Wimbledon this year, won the China Open and withdrew from the Wuhan Open after suffering a muscle injury to his left calf.