Naomi Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion, showcased her resilience and determination as she overcame a challenging start to secure a place in the third round of the Australian Open. In her first major tournament since returning from maternity leave, Osaka faced Karolina Muchova in a gripping match that tested her mental fortitude. After losing the first set decisively, Osaka paused to reflect, which provided her with the perspective necessary to turn the match around and claim victory. This win over Muchova marked her first triumph against the Czech player and served as a significant motivation for Osaka.
Osaka's victory improved her impressive record to 21-6 in major three-set matches, a statistic that ties her with the legendary Billie Jean King for the third-best record in the Open era. Only Steffi Graff and Wendy Turnbull have surpassed this achievement. Reflecting on her mindset during the match, Osaka remarked:
"I just told myself… if she beats me 6-1, 6-1, then she's the greatest player ever." – Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka's journey in Melbourne holds special significance as she aims to reclaim her former glory after an early exit from the tournament last year. She was defeated in the first round by Caroline Garcia but avenged that loss with a decisive first-round victory over Garcia earlier this week. This marked a moment of redemption for Osaka and set the tone for her subsequent success in the tournament.
In the third round, Osaka is set to face Belinda Bencic, a Tokyo Olympic gold medalist who is also making her return to major tennis tournaments following the birth of her daughter, Bella, last year. Osaka holds a slight edge with a 3-2 head-to-head record against Bencic, adding an intriguing dynamic to their upcoming encounter.
Reflecting on her match against Muchova, Osaka admitted:
"Yeah, I just tried to tell myself to fight." – Naomi Osaka
The battle against Muchova was not only a physical contest but also a mental one. In a light-hearted moment, Osaka recalled:
"She crushed me in the U.S. Open when I had my best outfit ever." – Naomi Osaka
With her sights set firmly on advancing further in the tournament, Osaka's determination remains unwavering. Her performance has reignited hopes of another Grand Slam triumph as she continues to build momentum.
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