Kerber scores revenge on Osaka

Angelique Kerber has turned the tables on Naomi Osaka, beating the Japanese rising star in the first round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Kerber, who lost to Osaka in the first round of the US Open just a few weeks ago, responded on Monday with a 6-3 6-4 victory.

Seeded No.7, she moves through to a second round clash with either Daria Kasatkina or Madison Brengle.

Kerber’s loss to Osaka in New York was a limp exit for the defending US Open champion, who as a result plummeted to world No.14 after starting the season at No.1.

Her win-loss record in 2017 is an underwhelming 26-18 and she has failed to win a title since that US Open run.

But this time, the disappointment was Osaka’s.

Last year, the Japanese teen thrilled home fans with a run to the final. This year, with her opening-round exit, she’s expected to drop 15 places to No.59.

Kerber played more aggressively than she has of late, but after taking the first set, Osaka looked to have steadied when she played a beautiful backhand lob to break the German for a 4-2 second-set lead.

Yet Kerber reeled off four straight games to seal victory in one hour, 22 minutes.

Also advancing on Monday were wildcard Kurumi Nara – who overcame Yulia Putintseva in three sets – and China’s Wang Qiang, who embarrassed No.8 seed Kristina Mladenovic 6-0 6-0.

Mladenovic has now lost her last seven matches – all in straight sets.