Osaka kicks off Indian Wells campaign with tough win over Stephens

It was a shaky start for Naomi Osaka at the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, as the Japanese superstar was forced to rally from a set down to overcome Sloane Stephens and advance to the second round.

Osaka fought back from a set deficit to pull off the 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory, as she finally recorded her first win against her American opponent in three tries. Stephens was the more consistent of the two in the first set, as both ladies exchanged multiple breaks. It was the 2017 US Open champion who maintained some level of stability, as her Japanese opponent looked abysmal behind her service games.

Nonetheless, Osaka seemed revitalized in the second set, striking the ball with more confidence as Stephens' game quickly deteriorated. The four-time Grand Slam champion saved all four break points faced, as she rediscovered her momentum to race through the second set.

The deciding set was a mere formality, as Stephens played some uninspired tennis to hand Osaka the crucial break. The former World No.1 did not look back, pouncing on her opponent's lackluster performance to win the match and advance to the second round after an hour and 53 minutes.