India, May 26 -- After three consecutive, and successful, serves down the T, Paula Badosa went for a cleverly placed serve out wide. It put her on the front foot in the rally. Her second shot pushed the opponent deep and drew a short return.

She glided forward and dispatched it with an inside-in forehand winner.

Immediately, both arms went in the air and a smile stretched across her face. She was past the first hurdle at the French Open - and a mighty big one as well. In a match that lasted two hours and 21 minutes, the Spaniard came from behind to beat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-7 (1), 6-1, 6-4 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The win comes just over a year after Badosa was told by doctors that she may have to cut short he...