Naomi Osaka makes stylish return to Tokyo with victory at Pan Pacific Open

Naomi Osaka walks onto the court ahead of her match against Jasmine Paolini at the Pan Pacific Open at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum on Tuesday.AFP-JIJI

Oct 28, 2026

Naomi Osaka kicked off her Japan homecoming with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over Jasmine Paolini in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum on Tuesday.

The Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first set before Paolini fought back to draw level. The Italian world No. 35 had a break point for a 4-3 lead, but sent her forehand long, and Osaka promptly swept through the final three games of the set.

At the end of a tightly contested second set, world No. 18 Osaka saved three consecutive set points at 5-6 before winning the game and closing out the match in the tiebreak.

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