Japan’s Naomi Osaka made a winning start to her campaign at the Miami Open, defeating Astra Sharma 6-3, 6-4 in 81 minutes on Wednesday.
Osaka, who exited Indian Wells amidst tears after a second-round loss to Veronika Kudermetova, did not face any break point on her serve and converted two break points on the Australian’s serve.
The former world number one says she wants to move on from her traumatic early exit at Indian Wells after winning her opening match at the Miami Open.
24-year-old Osaka said: “I didn’t want to let anything bother me, no matter what happened.
“The last match I played was not the greatest memory for me.
“I wanted to prove that I could come back out here and compete, and no matter if I won or lost, to just know that I had the best attitude I could.”
Osaka’s win was her 50th in WTA 1000 tournaments and sets up second-round meeting with 13th seed Angelique Kerber.
