Osaka begins with straight sets win

World number two Naomi Osaka began her French Open campaign with a 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Romanian Patricia Maria Tig on the opening day of the claycourt Grand Slam yesterday.

The Japanese four-time major winner divided opinion ahead of the tournament with her decision to boycott press conferences citing mental health, but the debate made no impact on her performance on a sun-bathed Philippe Chatrier court. The 23-year-old Osaka proved too powerful for the 63rd-ranked Tig.

Queues were back at Roland Garros as spectators lined up in the morning sun to attend the first day of the French open.

With temperatures reaching 20 degrees panama hats and shades were de rigueur - a contrast with last year's wind jackets and umbrellas when the claycourt Grand Slam was played in September-October.

While 1,000 fans were allowed on the ground last year, this year's French Open welcomes up to 5,388 spectators a day before opening its gates to 13,146 a day from June 9 as COVID-19 restrictions ease up in France.