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• Osaka "stalking" Swiatek to improve her own game

  Naomi Osaka quipped she has been "stalking" Iga Swiatek after her first-round defeat at the Olympics.

  Four-time grand slam champion Osaka, now ranked at world number 95, lost in straight sets to Germany's Angelique Kerber on Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.

  Former world number one Osaka returned to tennis earlier this year after giving birth in July 2023.

  Now she hopes she can climb back up the rankings by watching others on the tour, and world number one Swiatek has been high on her list.

  "I was stalking Iga. I was watching her practice at the Olympics, and for me, that's something I want to do more, watch the great players, because there's always something I can pick up on," Osaka told reporters ahead of the Canadian Open.

  "I know she has one of the best footwork skills on the WTA. I'm just trying to copy a little bit." 

  The Japanese player found her Olympics experience more enjoyable than three years ago at her home Games, where she lit the Olympic flame.

  "I would say in Tokyo [2020], I was definitely really stressed. In Paris, I felt a lot more fun. And obviously there were spectators there, so it was a lot different," reflected the 26-year-old.

  "In Paris, I felt a lot more fun. And obviously there were spectators there, so it was a lot different. But I didn't stay in the village, so that is something that I regret a little bit, not to have the full experience. Overall, I think it was it was fun. Hopefully, I can play in LA [in 2028]."

  Osaka has naturally faced challenges in her return to sport following pregnancy, which has made her presence at the Olympics a year on from giving birth impressive in itself.

  "Honestly, after pregnancy, I wasn't really sure how my movement would be," said Osaka.

  "I remember being on the track at UCLA [University of California, Los Angeles] and almost crying in frustration because I felt like I couldn't run as fast as I wanted to.

  "It felt like I was in a body suit that was not performing the way I wanted. Now, to be here, is a really incredible achievement."

  Having a daughter has also given Osaka a new outlook on her sport.

  "I lost in the Olympics, I was, of course, really devastated," she explained. "But I was just surrounded by my team.

  "Then I went back home, and I saw my daughter, and she's just happy to be alive. She's happy that I'm her mom and it just gave me a lot of motivation.

  "I feel like when I was younger I was searching for my purpose in life. The way I grew up, my only purpose was tennis. Then obviously taking the year that I had as a break, it let me see that there are so many different things in life and it's a beautiful world."

• Rune manages 'tricky' opponent change to start strong in Montreal

  Holger Rune made a strong start at the Montreal Open as he defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 3-6 6-2.

  Rune, who withdrew from the Olympics due to a wrist injury, had been set to face Milos Raonic in the first round.

  However, Raonic withdrew just moments before the match was due to start, so lucky loser Bautista Agut filled in.

  It left Rune having to swiftly adapt to a new opponent, but despite a wobble in the second set, the Dane was generally in control throughout Tuesday's contest.

  "It was a challenge for sure," Rune said. "It's never easy coming back after a little break — not the longest break, but for me, I'm very young and luckily I haven't been injured much. It was difficult but I think I managed to find the rhythm quickly.

  "It was kind of tricky. It's two completely different game styles. I kind of had to adjust from one tactic to another in five minutes. Luckily, I played Bautista before so I had a clue, and obviously he's been on Tour for many years, so I know him very well.

  "It was not easy. I was expecting a big server and trying to manage to get in the rallies with Milos, and now it was a completely different story. I needed to attack much more and play on my terms."

  Next up for Rune, who has won 13 of his 15 opening-round matches this season, is a tie against Pablo Carreno Busta.

  Data Debrief: Scandi style

  Since the format’s inception in 1990, world number 17 Rune is now the fourth Scandinavian player to claim 30+ wins from an opening 50 ATP Masters 1000 matches.

  He joins Stefan Edberg (41), Magnus Gustafsson (32) and Casper Ruud (31) on that list.

• Azarenka hits milestone with straight-sets win in Toronto

  Victoria Azarenka reached a career milestone with her straight-sets victory in the opening round of the Canadian Open on Tuesday.

  She overcame Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-2 to book her place in the round of 32 in one hour and 17 minutes in Toronto.

  In the process, Azarenka became the first player to claim 150 straight-set wins at WTA-1000 events, excluding retirements, since the format's introduction in 2009.

  The Belarusian already had the most straight-set wins at WTA-1000 events, but now has 18 more than second-place Agnieszka Radwanska (132).

  Azarenka is chasing her first title at the Canadian Open, having reached the semi-finals twice in her previous 11 appearances.