In the Billie Jean King Cup, Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek displayed impressive performances, while Emma Raducanu managed to overcome a challenging moment.

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek made triumphant returns to the Billie Jean King Cup on Friday, advancing Japan and Poland closer to the finals. Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu faced a challenging moment but managed to survive it. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, last competed for Japan in the competition in 2020, after which she became a mother.

In Tokyo, the 26-year-old Osaka defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), giving Japan a significant advantage over Kazakhstan following Nao Hibino’s earlier victory against Anna Danilina with a score of 6-1, 6-0.

Osaka expressed feeling “super-nervous” about playing in Japan for the first time since her appearance at the Pan Pacific Open in September 2022. She emphasized her desire not to disappoint her supporters, mentioning that losing in such a setting would affect her more deeply than in a regular tournament. Osaka showcased her formidable skills, delivering 15 aces during the match.

Despite her absence from the tennis scene, Osaka’s world ranking has risen significantly from 831 to 193 since her comeback this year. She remains hopeful about participating in the Paris Olympics later this year.