Anisimova tags Osaka with another early loss

By BILL SCOTT

Amanda Anisimova handed slumping Naomi Osaka a second straight Grand Slam disappointment before rain set in on Monday at the French Open.

The 28th-ranked American duplicated her upset scenario of last January in Melbourne (third round) as she sent Japan’s former No. 1 out 7-5. 6-4 in 92 minutes as clouds gathered over Roland Garros.

Rain later interrupted play around the grounds, though matches went ahead under the new roof of the Chatrier showcase arena.

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Osaka, who now stands 38th in the world after a long slow slide down the rankings due to mental health and injury pauses, has never been past the third round in Paris.

“I fought very hard, overall it wasn’t too bad,” Osaka said.

“I didn’t have the chances to prepare as well as I wanted for this tournament.

“Today I made some bad decisions on court, but it wasn’t too bad.”

Osaka can close the book on a disaster of a spring clay season, which she ended with a win and two losses and appearances only in Madrid and Paris.

Anisimova, a 2019 semi-finalist here, produced 27 winners to 13 or Osaka.

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