Playing her first match since claiming the number one ranking with her Australian Open triumph, the Japanese 21-year-old capitulated in just over an hour, having won less than half of her first serve points while making 25 unforced errors.
It was the second major surprise in a week involving U.S. Open champion Osaka, who announced she had parted ways with Sascha Bajin, the coach who had guided her in both her Grand Slam victories.
This match is the result of that, Osaka told reporters of her coaching shake-up. I’m pretty sure as time goes on you guys will stop talking about it. For now, it’s like the biggest tennis news, I guess.
The hard-hitting Osaka has become one of tennis’s most bankable players since upsetting American great Serena Williams in the final at Flushing Meadows but has always spoken of feeling uncomfortable in the spotlight.
Osaka wiped away tears as she spoke of the challenge of adjusting to her new celebrity.
And because last year I wasn’t even anywhere close to this ranking and people didn’t pay attention to me and that’s something that I’m comfortable with.
I don’t know why I’m crying, she said with a smile. I don’t know why this is happening. I don’t really like the attention, so yeah, it’s been a little tough.
Mladenovic, ranked 67th, hit less winners than Osaka but converted seven of 10 break points to claim her first win over a world number one.
Australian Open runner-up Petra Kvitova rallied from a set down to beat Czech compatriot Katerina Siniakova 6-7(3) 6-4 6-4, while third seed Simona Halep advanced with a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Canadian wildcard Eugenie Bouchard.
Kvitova, the second seed, was almost the architect of her downfall with nine double-faults in the match, but recovered to set up a match with American qualifier Jennifer Brady.
Brady pulled off another of the day’s upsets when she beat 14th seed Caroline Garcia 6-4 7-5, joining compatriot Sofia Kenin in the next round.
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