Last year's defending US Open champion Naomi Osaka returns to the Western & Southern Open alongside world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, after both players skipped the recent Montreal tournament. Both players faced disappointment at the Tokyo Olympics, with Barty losing in the first round and Osaka exiting in the third.

Osaka, who lit the Olympic flame in Tokyo, has had limited court time recently after withdrawing from the French Open and skipping Wimbledon. She reached the finals of last year's Western & Southern Open but withdrew due to injury before the final match. Her performance this week could be crucial for maintaining her No. 2 ranking, with Aryna Sabalenka poised to overtake her position.

Notable First-Round Matches:

Marketa Vondrousova vs Belinda Bencic

• Olympic gold medal rematch
• Vondrousova defeated Osaka and Svitolina en route to silver
• Previous Miami meeting went to Vondrousova in three sets

Barbora Krejcikova vs Daria Kasatkina

• French Open champion Krejcikova faces experienced hard-court player
• Kasatkina shows good form after San Jose finals appearance
• Krejcikova's limited hard-court experience could be a factor

https://twitter.com/Tennis24_com/status/1299711078193139715

Top tournament picks:

• Best Bet: Ashleigh Barty (+550)
• Value Pick: Victoria Azarenka (+1600)

Iga Swiatek, despite high odds from bookmakers, may be worth avoiding given her 4-4 record on hard courts since her French Open victory.

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