China’s Wang Qiang inflicted a ‘double bagel’ on eighth seed Kristina Mladenovic of France in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open on Monday.
TOKYO (Reuters) – China&rsquo-s Wang Qiang inflicted a &lsquo-double bagel&rsquo- on eighth seed Kristina Mladenovic of France in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open on Monday.
Wang needed 48 minutes to seal the 6-0 6-0 win over the world number 15, who also suffered first round defeats at the U.S. Open and in Connecticut, Cincinnati and the Canadian Open.
Germany&rsquo-s seventh-seeded former world number one Angelique Kerber beat last year&rsquo-s Pan Pacific runner-up Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 to avenge her U.S. Open defeat by the Japanese teenager.
Kerber became only the second women&rsquo-s defending champion to lose in the U.S. Open first round.
&ldquo-It&rsquo-s always tough to play against her,&rdquo- the German told the WTA website after her victory.
&ldquo-I was trying to come out here and really focus on every single point and make it better than last time… she&rsquo-s a great player, great, talented player and tough opponent. For sure she will have great success in the future.&rdquo-
Kerber plays either American qualifier Madison Brengle or Russia&rsquo-s Daria Kasatkina in the next round.
Local favorite Kurumi Nara beat Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 2-6 6-4 6-2 in another first round contest.