Naomi Osaka eases through US Open first round over Marie Bouzkova
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Defending champion Naomi Osaka got her US Open campaign up and running smoothly with a straight-sets win over Marie Bouzkova. But Osaka, a two-time champion in New York promptly raced away in the second set to register a 6-4 6-1 victory. “I’ve played a lot of matches on this court, maybe the most in my career and I definitely feel comfortable here.” Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed from Belarus, needed three sets to get past Nina Stojanovic of Serbia. Former champion Angelique Kerber bounced back from the brink of defeat to beat Dayana Yastremska 3-6 6-4 7-6, and fifth seed Elina Svitolina sank Rebecca Marino 6-2 6-3.