London (AFP)
World No. 2 Naomi Osaka was eliminated in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday, after defeating Kazakk Yulia Putintseva in straight sets 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.
The Japanese, recently dethroned by the Australian Ashley Barty at the top of the WTA standings, could regain her position of world No.1 in case of a good run in London.
Saturday, the defender of the Australian Open earlier this year was said to be freed by the loss of its place of N.1 world.
That did not happen Monday on the central court of Wimbledon, where she was dominated in just over an hour and a half by an opponent she has never managed to beat in three confrontations on the circuit.
The N.2 world however knew what to expect: she was curtly beaten on the turf of Birmingham (6-2, 6-3) at the end of June.
? 2019 AFP