Naomi Osaka's hopes of a fifth grand slam title, and a first at the French Open, were halted in the first round at Roland-Garros after she was beaten by Paula Badosa on Monday. (As It Happened | More Tennis News)
Osaka, who has won the Australian Open and US Open twice apiece, was unable to build on a first-set lead, with Badosa winning 6-7 (1-7) 6-1 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes.
The former world number one traded blows with her Spanish opponent, with the pair claiming back-to-back breaks of serve late in the first set, which went the distance.Â
And it was Osaka who won the tie-break, but she then called for a medical timeout before the start of the second set to cut her nails in bizarre scenes in the French capital.Â
However, Badosa was the one to find the cutting edge, winning the first five games before seeing out the second set as the encounter entered a thrilling conclusion.Â
Despite Osaka racing into a 2-0 lead in the decider, Badosa was able to regain her composure and grab two crucial breaks, converting match point at the end of a love service game.
Badosa will now play the winner of Monday's match between McCartney Kessler and Elena Gabriela Ruse.
Data Debrief: Brilliant Badosa comes out on top
Badosa arrived at Roland-Garros with only two matches played since March and having suffered a loss to Liudmila Samsonova last week in Strasbourg, but she was able to maintain her proud record in Paris.Â
Indeed, Badosa has now won 12 main-draw matches at the French Open, the most she's had at any tournament. She has also reached the third round on each of her previous four appearances there.
The 10th seed saved six of the eight break points she faced and finished with an even 27 winners to 27 unforced errors.Â
