Osaka lets racquet do the talking, Sebalenka, Kvitova win

World number two Naomi Osaka let her racquet do the talking at Roland Garros on Sunday when she reached the second round with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig.

The 23-year-old Japanese star, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, has refused to carry out media obligations at the tournament, claiming news conferences are detrimental to her mental health.

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However, she did agree to a quick on-court television interview after Sunday’s win.

“For me, playing on clay is a work in progress,” said the reigning US and Australian Open champion on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier.

Osaka, who has never got past the third round in Paris, fired 39 winners but committed 35 unforced errors against her 63rd-ranked opponent.

Next up for the second seed is another Romanian player, Ana Bogdan.

Third seed Aryna Sabalenka also moved into the second round with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Ana Konjuh on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

And Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova survived a big scare against Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen in her opening round, having to save a matchpoint en route to a 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 6-1 win.