'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Naomi Osaka will kick off her 2022 Indian Wells challenge against fellow Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens.
The former World No. 1 is returning to action after a month-long hiatus. Her last tournament was the Australian Open, where her title defense ended in the third round against Amanda Anisimova.
Osaka also participated in an exhibition match at Indian Wells to mark Women's Day, losing to Anisimova yet again. Her best result so far this year has been a semifinal showing at the Melbourne Summer Set at the start of the season.
Where is Naomi Osaka playing?
Osaka is participating in the 2022 Indian Wells Open, the second WTA 1000 event of the year. It's one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar after the four Grand Slams.
The Japanese won her maiden career title at this very tournament in 2018. She's competing at the event for the first time since 2019.
While the 2020 edition was canceled due to the onset of the pandemic, the 2021 edition was held in October instead of its usual March slot. Osaka had already ended her season by then.
Who is Naomi Osaka playing against?
Osaka will take on 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens in the opening round. The American won her first title in almost four years at the WTA 250 event in Guadalajara.
Stephens hasn't been at her best for a while, but she is slowly making her way back to the top. Her latest title proves that she's on the right track.
Stephens leads 2-0 in the head-to-head against Osaka. She won their previous match 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in the group stage of the 2018 WTA Finals.
Naomi Osaka vs Sloane Stephens match schedule
Their first-round match will be played during the day session on Thursday. It is the first scheduled match of the day in Stadium 1.
Match timing: The match is set to begin at approximately 3 pm local time. For fans in the USA, UK and Canada, here are the broadcast timings.
Naomi Osaka vs Sloane Stephens streaming details
USA: For viewers in the USA, the Tennis Channel will broadcast the match.
UK: UK viewers can follow the proceedings on Amazon Prime Video.
Canada: Viewers can watch the action on TSN.
Who is Naomi Osaka's boyfriend? All you need to know about the tennis star's dating history timeline
