Tennis

Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters, securing a hard-fought victory over Aleksandar Vukic in his first match since the Australian Open. The Serbian legend, chasing his sixth title at the desert venue, displayed resilience and determination to overcome a spirited challenge from his Australian opponent.Djokovic, who holds the distinction of being the only male player alongside Rafael Nadal to reach 400 Masters-level victories, captured the opening set with ease. However, Vukic fought back in the second set, breaking Djokovic's serve and forcing a tie.Undeterred, Djokovic regained control in the third set, breaking Vukic's serve early on and holding his own to secure the victory. The 36-year-old Serb praised Vukic's performance, acknowledging his impressive forehand and powerful serve.In the women's draw, third seed Coco Gauff showcased her mental fortitude by rallying from a four-game deficit in the final set to defeat Clara Burel. The reigning US Open champion, playing in front of a home crowd, broke a WTA record by reaching 50 wins as a teenager at the Masters 1000 level.Former world number one Naomi Osaka continued her comeback after motherhood, advancing to the third round with a victory over Liudmila Samsonova. Other notable winners included Taylor Fritz, Grigor Dimitrov, and Cameron Norrie.

Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, both former world No. 1s and multiple Grand Slam champions, are navigating the early stages of their comebacks after taking time off to have children. Despite their past successes, both players have struggled with consistency and mental fortitude in recent times.At the recent Indian Wells tournament, Osaka and Kerber faced adversity in their opening matches. Osaka double-faulted three times in a row and lost a break early against Sara Errani, while Kerber blew a 5-3 lead and lost the first set to Jelena Ostapenko.However, both players showed encouraging signs of resilience and mental toughness. Kerber, known for her tendency to let negativity affect her game, used her frustration to fuel her performance against Ostapenko. She became more aggressive and tactical, fighting fire with fire and ultimately securing the victory.Osaka, whose belief can fluctuate dramatically, dug deep against Errani. Despite the Italian's ability to force her into long rallies, Osaka remained focused and earned her points. She has also been inspired by the fighting spirit of fellow tour mom Victoria Azarenka.Both Osaka and Kerber acknowledge the challenges of regaining their former form. Osaka is a perfectionist who struggles when results don't come quickly, while Kerber has a history of letting negativity creep into her game. However, they are determined to overcome these obstacles and reach their full potential once again.Their comebacks are not without their setbacks, but their performances at Indian Wells suggest that they are on the right track. They have the motivation, the talent, and the experience to succeed. As they continue to navigate the ups and downs of their journeys, Osaka and Kerber will undoubtedly face more challenges. But if they can maintain their positive mindset and unwavering determination, they have the potential to achieve great things once again.

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has shown signs of regaining her form at the Indian Wells tournament. After an easy victory over Sara Errani in her first match, Osaka faces a tougher challenge in Liudmila Samsonova in the second round.Osaka's recent resurgence has been marked by three wins in her last four matches, including a narrow loss to Karolina Pliskova in which both sets went into tiebreakers. Despite the loss, Osaka displayed a strong performance, suggesting that she is close to rediscovering her best tennis.In her upcoming match against Samsonova, Osaka will face a different type of opponent. Samsonova is known for her powerful serve, but Osaka's return game should be more effective on the slower courts at Indian Wells. The surface will also favor Osaka's baseline play, as her movement has been a weakness in recent years.Samsonova, on the other hand, has struggled for form lately, losing three of her last four matches. She is also not particularly adept on clay-like surfaces, which the Indian Wells courts resemble.Osaka's commitment to improving her game is evident, and she is determined to make a statement in the desert. With her power and experience, she is well-positioned to overcome Samsonova and continue her resurgence.

Naomi Osaka's triumphant return to the BNP Paribas Open continued on Thursday as she defeated Sara Errani in straight sets to reach the second round. The former world No. 1, who is playing her fifth tournament since giving birth to daughter Shai last year, is starting to find her form after a 16-month break.Osaka, who arrived at Indian Wells unseeded, started slowly against Errani, a former world No. 5. The Italian twice led by a break in the opening set, but Osaka soon found her rhythm and reeled off four straight games to take the set.Errani continued to push in the second set, but Osaka was too strong and broke serve three times to win the set 6-1. The match lasted just one hour and nine minutes, with Osaka hitting seven aces and breaking serve five times.Up next for Osaka is No. 14 seed Liudmila Samsonova, who received a bye into the second round. The two will be facing off for the first time, with Samsonova having enjoyed a similarly up-and-down start to her 2024 season.Osaka's victory is a sign that she is starting to return to her best form. The 26-year-old is a four-time Grand Slam champion and is one of the most marketable athletes in the world. Her return to the top of the game would be a major boost for women's tennis.

Naomi Osaka, Denis Shapovalov, and Sloane Stephens Headline Day 1 at Stadiium 1The first day of the Stadiium 1 tournament promises thrilling matchups as top players Naomi Osaka, Denis Shapovalov, and Sloane Stephens take to the court.Naomi Osaka vs. Sara ErraniOsaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, will face off against veteran Sara Errani in a rematch of their 2016 Miami Open encounter, which Osaka won in straight sets. Despite early-season struggles, Osaka has shown signs of regaining her form. Errani, known for her tenacity, will pose a formidable challenge.Denis Shapovalov vs. Botic van de ZandschulpShapovalov, once ranked in the Top 10, has slipped out of the Top 100. He will face the rising star Botic van de Zandschulp, who has earned a reputation for his resilience. With no previous head-to-head record, this match promises to be a physical battle.Sloane Stephens vs. Mayar SherifStephens, a former US Open champion, will take on Mayar Sherif, a rising star with a solid arsenal. Sherif has the potential to challenge top players, while Stephens has proven her ability to compete at the highest level. This matchup is expected to be a competitive baseline battle.Predictions:* Naomi Osaka* Botic van de Zandschulp* Sloane Stephens