Naomi Osaka has edged ever closer to a blockbuster Australian Open fourth-round clash with Ash Barty after overcoming a second-set wobble against Madison Brengle to power into the third round.
Defending champion Osaka breezed through her opening set against the American in just 20 minutes but had to push through her own errors and recover from a break down in the second to prevail 6-0 6-4.
"I want to say I returned pretty well," Osaka said.
"That's not my usual strength but I've been really working on it during the off-season so I'm really glad it came in handy too."
Osaka will next take on Amanda Anisimova, who stunned No.22 seed Belinda Bencic in straight sets, for a chance to face either Barty or 30th seed Camila Georgi in the final 16.
In an ominous first set, Brengle, who had never faced the Japanese star, had few answers for an on-song Osaka, who struck a relaxed figure as she smashed 13 unanswered winners and lost just nine points.
But Brengle came out of the break with renewed intensity and upon claiming her first game off Osaka, on serve, the delighted world No.54 raised both fists to the sky and mouthed 'yes', then 'thank you'.
Osaka shrugged it off, but the game kicked off an error-strewn second set.
The 24-year-old made 23 of her 32 unforced errors for the match in the second set, while she consistently looked vulnerable on serve.
Osaka saved nine break points early in the set, at one point letting out a scream of frustration.
Brengle, 31, finally snatched a break and 4-3 lead when Osaka inexplicably powered a smash out of court.
It seemed to spark the defending champion into action.
Osaka broke back, and ultimately, brilliantly reeled off the final nine points of the match to seal victory.
