Naomi Osaka may have enjoyed the biggest win of her comeback in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open. Karolina Muchova defeated her in the second round of the 2024 US Open so Osaka was looking for a better performance and result from herself.
It did not start that way. Osaka fell behind immediately, losing the first set 1-6. However, she found her game and her shots in the second set and took it 6-1.
The third set is when Osaka pulled away with a break and never looked back winning 6-3.
#AO2025 | @naomiosaka is through to the third round after coming back from a set down to beat 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Osaka will face fellow WTA Tour mother Belinda Bencic next.
📸 | Hannah Peters [Getty] pic.twitter.com/7gOCqDfAXu
— Black Spin Global (@BlackSpinGlobal) January 15, 2025
Osaka never lost her belief despite falling behind, and she persevered. Fans went crazy after match point, and Osaka did a little jumping up and down movement that showed her joy.
As has been the case since her return, her draw does not get easier. She faces fellow mother Belinda Bencic in the third round. Bencic who gave birth in the summer of 2024, has been quietly playing great tennis, seemingly gaining her form back quickly.
Belinda Bencic, currently ranked No. 421 after coming back from maternity leave in Oct 2024, has defeated 16th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 7-6!
Tennis, you beauty 🎾😍@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/gkyKxnDOPN
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025
Vintage Naomi Osaka Made An Appearance
If Osaka can string together more wins like this, she will be a force to reckon with. Her game and shotmaking are so pure and fun to watch. The same can be said for Muchova.
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continues to sail through the draw so it remains to be seen if Osaka will be a factor in the second week of this tournament.
The legions of Japanese fans in the stands cheering for her against Muchova hope so.
First things first, she needs to prepare for a tough match against Bencic who has historically played well against Naomi Osaka.
