Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka wouldn’t be blown off course in her return to Indian Wells, outlasting Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a blockbuster first-round clash.

Japan’s Osaka, playing her first tournament since a third-round exit at the Australian Open saw her plummet out of the Top-80 in the world rankings, was a break down at 0-2 in the third set, but won the last six games to secure the victory over former US Open champion Stephens at the WTA and ATP Masters event.