French Open 2022: Amanda Anisimova beats Naomi Osaka in first round

Naomi Osaka was beaten in the first round of the French Open.

The American won the Australian Open title in January.

Osaka was let down most by her serve, which included eight double faults, as she struggled with an injury in the build-up to the Grand Slam.

Donna Vekic will be the next opponent for Anisimova.

Osaka withdrew from last year's event because of mental health struggles, but she said she was initially worried about the reception she would receive when she returned to Paris.

The crowd on Suzanne Lenglen welcomed both Osaka and Anisimova, with the fans behind her as she fought to keep her opponent at bay.

The rustiness of Osaka was most evident in her serving, with several of her double faults coming at crucial moments to hand the initiative to her opponent.

Osaka was broken on a double fault at 5-5 in the opening set after fighting back from an early break down.

In the opening set, she produced a near-flawless service game to take the lead, and then sealed it with a forehand winner.

The young American dealt with more pressure from Osaka in the second set, first breaking the Japanese on a double fault and then saving three break points in the next game to keep a 6-3 lead.

After creating three match points on her serve, she looked shaky as she sent two into the net, before a fiery strike down the line wrapped up the match.

Petra Kvitova advanced with a win over Anna Bondar.