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French Open 2021: Naomi Osaka puts media issue to one side by beating Patricia Maria Tig

Related Topics: Naomi Osaka, Japan, Ana Bogdan

Japan's Naomi Osaka put the controversy over her refusal to speak to the media to one side as she started the French Open with a straight-set win.

Osaka, 23, hit 20 winners in a largely dominant first set, but had to work even harder in the second before her quality came through in the tie-break.

The four-time major champion plays another Romanian, Ana Bogdan, next.

Much of the build-up to the tournament was focused on Osaka's decision to avoid news conferences. She said she wanted to protect her mental health and take a stand against the impact of interviews on the psychological welfare of all players.