Former tournament champion Naomi Osaka shows fight, rallies to defeat Sloane Stephens in first round showdown
2018 tournament champion and 2-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka is moving on in Indian Wells following her comeback win over American Sloane Stephens.
A dazzling start ✨@naomiosaka grabs her first career win over Sloane Stephens, fighting past the American 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in Round 1 #IndianWells pic.twitter.com/mY1pRBrOQS
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 11, 2022
A highly anticipated matchup of unseeded yet high profile players, the first round clash went all the way to a third and decisive set.
Welcome to the Sloane and Naomi show 🤯#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/aTwLREojTt
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 11, 2022
Osaka dropped first set, dominated the 2nd and then took the third to win the match. The final result was 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in an hour and 53 minutes.
#Osaka showing some fight! ➡️Round 2 vs. No. 24 Veronika Kudermetova #IndianWells https://t.co/nJwPZ2AQ3W
— Bailey Arredondo (@BaileyKESQ) March 11, 2022
With the loss, Stephens is out of the women's singles draw at Indian Wells.
Be sure to stay with the KESQ News Channel 3 sports team of Blake Arthur and Bailey Arredondo for continuing coverage of the tennis tournament.