It might have taken three sets for Naomi Osaka to secure victory on Thursday, but the two-time Australian Open champion once again proved that going the distance is no daunting task.
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With a 9-1 record in three-set matches at Melbourne Park heading into her second-round encounter with Sorana Cirstea, Osaka did not fret when she was forced into a decider.
Two days prior, she’d prevailed over Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic in three sets after she was down a break at 4-3 in the final set. And like on Tuesday, Osaka was playing good tennis.
Leading into the final set, the world No.16 had dominated most of the match. Osaka’s raw power was causing her Romanian counterpart headaches, blasting 22 winners, including nine off her forehand.
However, Osaka’s 31 unforced errors and a persistent Cirstea saw the match enter a third set.
A break in the opening game of the final set proved why there was no need for the Japanese No.1 to hit the panic button. The 28-year-old was soon at her rampaging best, hitting 16 winners to two for the set as she ultimately cruised to a 6-3 4-6 6-2 win in Cirstea’s final singles appearance in Melbourne.
“Honestly, I was just thinking that I hit a lot of unforced errors in the second set. I also tried to feel more free in the rallies,” Osaka said about her third-set turnaround.
“I was really focused on hitting on one side or trying to avoid her backhand. I just kind of gave myself a little bit more grace.”
Once again claiming a three-set victory in Melbourne, Osaka believes her fitness, paired with her motivation to remain in the tournament, helps her close out these tight matches.
“I go into [the third set] knowing that my fitness level is pretty good. I appreciate the balls that I’m getting, and it kind of surprises me sometimes, so I know that I’m fit enough to go into the third set pretty strong,” she said.
“Also, I really just love this tournament, and I want to stay here as long as possible, so that definitely motivates me.”
Osaka has only faced one Australian in her 10 Australian Open campaigns, defeating Ash Barty in the third round in 2018. On Saturday, she will battle qualifier Maddison Inglis for a place in the round of 16 after the Australian was a three-set winner earlier on Thursday over world No.48 Laura Siegemund.
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Generally a fan favourite, the support for Osaka is likely to be watered down as Inglis aims to continue her fairytale run.
Having overcome the likes of Serena Williams in enemy territory, most notably to win the US Open title in 2021, Osaka is looking forward to the challenge.
“I think the crowd is really engaging, it should be super fun. I don’t think I’ve played Maddison before,” she said.
“She’s obviously in the third round, so she deserves to be here. She’s going to be a really tough opponent.”