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Olympics Social Slice: Naomi Osaka cruises through; Ash Barty crashes out


On today’s Olympics Social Slice, Naomi Osaka books her second round spot, while world number one Ash Barty suffers an early exit.

Firstly, Naomi Osaka downed China’s Zheng Saisai 6-1, 6-4 in the opening round in Tokyo in an hour and 29 minutes.

The world number two was making her Olympic debut at her home Games and playing her first match since the French Open.

The 23-year-old will face world number 50 and recent Wimbledon quarter-finalist Viktorija Golubic in the second round.

The only player seeded higher than Osaka – top-ranked Ash Barty – fell at the first hurdle on her Olympic debut.

The 25-year-old Australian was upset 6-4, 6-3 by Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in her first match since winning the Wimbledon title.

World number 48 Sorribes Tormo, 24, will face France’s Fiona Ferro in the second round.

Along with Sorribes Tormo – Garbine Muguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro won today to join Paula Badosa and make it four Spanish women into the second round.

Two-time major winner Muguruza battled past Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 7-5, while Suarez Navarro upset Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1, after Badosa beat Kristina Mladenovic yesterday.

In the men’s draw, another Japanese star – Kei Nishikori – ousted fifth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round.

The world number 69 – and former number four – will face American Marcos Giron in the second round.


There was another sizable upset as alternate Max Purcell – who replaced Andy Murray – took out ninth seed Felix-Auger Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

The Australian was only at the Olympics to compete in men’s doubles, but took the two-time Olympic gold medallist’s spot to face the Canadian after he withdrew with an injury.

Finally, Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie claimed his first tour title by defeating American Brandon Nakashima in the final of the Los Cabos ATP 250 event.

Nick Kyrgios took to Twitter to congratulate the world number 30 and referenced giving Norrie encouragement at Wimbledon.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.