WATCH: Osaka gets off to a good start with Jenkins

Naomi Osaka is a defending champion for the first time in her career, and is at her first tournament with new coach, Jermaine Jenkins.

The pair’s first match and on-court coaching changeover together was a success.

“You’re doing a great job fighting through it,” Jenkins told the 21-year-old. "Keep staying in there. I love the body language. Keep the positivity.”

Osaka would defeat Kristina Mladenovic 6-3, 6-4, just three weeks after losing by a similar scoreline to the world No. 65 in Dubai.

The world No.1 returns to action on Monday for her third round matchup against Danielle Collins.