Osaka delivers another big statement on her return

Naomi Osaka has delivered another major statement on her return to tennis from maternity leave, routing ninth-seeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-3 6-1 in the WTA event in Toronto.

Osaka, a former No.1 player, beat a top-20 player for the fifth time on her return.

“Everyone knows I really love hard courts. I wasn’t thinking too much. It was very instinctual,” said Japan’s Osaka, a four-time grand slam winner.

“Honestly, when I play the best players, like Ons, I tend to play better.”

Osaka will face Elise Mertens of Belgium in the second round. Mertens beat American Katie Volynets 6-3 6-1.

Paula Badosa, a former second-ranked player making a comeback from a back injury, followed her Washington title on Sunday with a 6-1 6-4 triumph over Denmark’s Clara Tauson.

The Spanish star will face fourth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.

At night, 15th-seeded Leylah Fernandez of Canada beat Nao Hibino of Japan 6-3 5-7 6-1.

Marina Stakusic, a 19-year-old from nearby Mississauga beat Russia’s Erika Andreeva 6-7 (7-5) 6-1 6-4 in her first main-draw appearance at the event.

In the late match, third-seeded defending champion Jessica Pegula of the United States faces the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova in the second round.