SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
front
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday, January 14 2024

 
Naomi Osaka

The two-time Aussie Open champion rallied from a set down for her biggest win at the majors since her comeback from maternity leave commenced.

Photo Sourc:TTV

Naomi Osaka returned from maternity leave in 2024 with high hopes, but the Grand Slam season came and went without the Japanese star making it past the second round at a major.

Tennis Express

Two weeks into 2025, she has already changed the narrative.

Osaka, a pillar of fist-pumping positivity on Kia Arena on Tuesday, rallied for a 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 comeback over 20th-seeded Karolina Muchova to reach the third round and set a clash with fellow mom Belinda Bencic.

It was a soaring effort from the four-time major champion that featured the best of her electric ground game and plenty of clutch tennis in big moments. Osaka hit 33 winners against 27 unforced errors, with 16 of those winners coming in a well-played decider, against just eight unforced errors.

Afterwards, Osaka relished in the fact that she had just snapped a two-match losing streak against Muchova and improved to 26-6 lifetime at the Australian Open.

She has now notched seven Top-20 wins since the start of 2024.

“It took everything,” she said of the victory, with a smile. “I felt like I left everything I had on the court.”

Osaka is 6-1 on the season thus far, and only lost a match because she pulled out of the Auckland final (against Clara Tauson) due to an abdominal issue, while leading by a set.

On Wednesday she demonstrated that her power game can still be impactful against top-tier talent on tour, as she created 17 break points and wreaked havoc with her pace off the ground in the final two sets against Muchova.

“Last year was really tough for me,” Osaka admitted on court in her post-match interview. “I felt like I could have done better – just to be back on these courts, playing in front of you guys, it really makes my whole year. I’m glad that I’m able to play another round.”

She also admitted that revenge tasted sweet against Muchova. Having falling to the Czech in the second-round at the US Open last year, she was intent on taking the power back today.

“It means a lot,” Osaka said of her 62nd career Grand Slam win. “She’s an incredibly difficult opponent for me to play. She crushed me at the US Open when I had my best outfit ever. I was so disappointed – I was so mad. This was my little revenge. It means a lot because she is one of the toughest opponents out there.”


Bencic, who defeated Suzan Lamens 6-1, 7-6(3) on Wednesday, owns a 3-2 lead in her head-to-head with Osaka, including a win over the Japanese in their only Grand Slam meeting at the 2019 US Open.

"I think it's going to be a fun match," said the Swiss. "I mean, I think she beat me last time, but I have a good record against her. But it doesn't really mean anything anymore. I feel good to play her. I think it's going to be a nice match. Hopefully on a big court. Really enjoying to be in the third round and to have an opportunity like this."

Bencic became a mom last April, and started her comeback in November.

 

Latest News