"I wanted to prove I can compete" - Osaka on first match after Indian Wells heckling

Naomi Osaka delivered a composed and controlled performance to defeat Astra Sharma 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Miami Open, advancing in 1 hour and 20 minutes.

It was Osaka's 50th career WTA 1000 win, and sets up a second-round clash against another former World No.1, No.13 seed Angelique Kerber. It was also her first match since the Indian Wells heckling incident which left her crying during the match. She played this match with a clear intent of showing she is not affected by that sort of stuff.

She said:

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"I didn't want to let anything bother me, no matter what happened. The last match I played was not the greatest memory for me. I wanted to prove that I could come back out here and compete, and no matter if I won or lost, to just know that I had the best attitude I could."

Osaka was utterly dominant on serve, losing just two points behind her first delivery and six behind her second. And though her break point conversion rate was subpar as she took just two of her 11 opportunities, she did not let this frustrate her.