Naomi Osaka And The French Open.

Naomi Osaka is not most players, so after sword-fighting her way out of a self-made first-round ambush at the French Open on Tuesday, she looked straight at a questioner and explained why shed been swamped by anxiety.

I mean, I can give you logical reasons, but Im not really a logical person, Osaka said.

Logical reasons, first time playing a Grand Slam as No. 1.

Osakas second-round opponent Thursday, Victoria Azarenka, faces a different, almost entirely internal pressure: regaining her footing and identity as a contender at the majors.

Azarenka had rose-colored glasses perched on her nose as she regarded a small roomful of reporters after a first-round win over 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, an uneven but perilous opponent who demanded focus and quality.