SHE’S BACK Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts after a match point against Sloane Stephens of the United States in their first round match on Day 4 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Indian Wells, California (March 11 in Manila). PHOTO BY CLIVE BRUNSKILL/AFP
SHE’S BACK Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts after a match point against Sloane Stephens of the United States in their first round match on Day 4 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Indian Wells, California (March 11 in Manila). PHOTO BY CLIVE BRUNSKILL/AFP


INDIAN WELLS, United States: Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka wouldn't be blown off course in her return to Indian Wells, outlasting Sloane Stephens 3-6-, 6-1, 6-2 in a blockbuster first-round clash.

Japan's Osaka, playing her first tournament since a third-round exit at the Australian Open saw her plummet out of the top 80 in the world rankings, was a break down at 0-2 in the third set but won the last six games to secure the victory over former US Open champion Stephens at the WTA and ATP Masters event.

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