Tennis: Japan’s Osaka through, Barty stunned

Japan`s Naomi Osaka returns a shot to China`s Zheng Saisai during their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games women`s singles first round tennis match at the Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo. Pic/AFP

Japan's Naomi Osaka won in straight sets on her highly-anticipated return to the court at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, while World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty crashed out in the first round.

Osaka defeated China's Zheng Saisai 6-1, 6-4. She is now the clear favourite for gold after Barty, the reigning Wimbledon champion, dropped serve twice in each set and made 55 unforced errors in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Spain's 48th-ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo.

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