The 26-year-old from Campinois held up well in the first set before being overwhelmed 6-4 and 6-1 by the Japanese Naomi Osaka, former world No.1 (46 weeks in 2019), winner of four Grand Slam titles (US Open 2018 and 2020, Australian Open 2019 and 2021).
It was a first meeting between the two 26-year-old players. It ended after 1 hour and 19 minutes of play.
After experiencing psychological problems and becoming a mother, Osaka only occupies the current 197th place in the WTA. She is coached by our compatriot Wim Fissette, who is also the captain of the Belgian Billie Jean King Cup team.
The Belgian No.2 was drafted as the 'lucky loser' of qualifying thanks to her 68th place in the world. She lost a match point in the second round of qualifying before being beaten by Colombian Emiliana Arango (WTA 121).
Greet Minnen has now been beaten in the first round in seven of ten WTA tournaments where she has reached the main draw this year.
Elise Mertens, 29th in the world, is directly qualified for the final draw in the Spanish capital. Exempted from the first round due to her status as seed No.28, the Belgian number 1 will face the American Sloane Stephens (WTA 33) in the 2nd round. The winner of the WTA 250 in Rouen on Sunday beat the Italian Martina Trevisan (WTA 76) 6-3, 5-7 and 6-4 on Wednesday.
