Osaka has struggled since splitting with her coach Sascha Bajin in February while an abdominal injury forced her to withdraw in Stuttgart eight days ago.
MADRID - Naomi Osaka eased concerns about her form and fitness by coming through a tricky first round against Dominika Cibulkova on Sunday at the Madrid Open, declaring she's "more comfortable" on clay courts than in the past.
Osaka's pair of Grand Slam successes have come on hard, at the US and Australian Opens, but she is yet to find her best on clay. Former world number one Caroline Woznacki's Madrid Open lasted just minutes when she retired at 0-3 down to France's Alize Cornet suffering with a back injury. US 13th seed Madison Keys was also a surprise first-round loser, going down 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
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