Women’s wrap: Osaka’s sweet revenge, Pegula advances

On By Littum

Preparing for the year’s first major in Auckland, where she prevailed in three sets over Hailey Baptiste, helped build the toughness of the match. If Osaka gets her way, it will extend her stay in Melbourne.

“I just hope I can continue to play here because it’s one of my favorite tournaments,” said the AO 2019 and 2021 champion, who is striving to get both stronger and faster even after raising his fitness level to the highest it has been since her comeback.

The four-time major winner’s next opponent is Switzerland Belinda Bencicwho is competing in her first Grand Slam since giving birth last year. Bencic advanced with a straight-set dismissal of Dutch Suzan Lamens, 6-1 7-6(3).

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“I think it’s going to be fun,” said Osaka, who said earlier this week that she enjoys getting through tough draws. “You can prove that you are the best of the best.”

In second day 4 action, seventh seed Jessica Pegula snapped her losing streak against AO 2018 semi-finalist Elise Mertens with a 6-4 6-2 victory on the Margaret Court Arena.

The American hit 24 winners to secure her first victory over the Belgian in four attempts and said she was happy with her level, describing her execution on Wednesday as “strategically perfect.”

In the round of 16, Pegula faces Olga Danilovicwho scored a 6-1 6-2 upset over 25th seed Liudmila Samsonova

Elsewhere 14th seed Mirra Andreeva survived a scare against Moyuka Uchijima, serving for the match at 5-4 in the third, before the 17-year-old ultimately prevailed 6-4 3-6 7-6 (10-8).

The right-handed wonder cheekseeded in the top 16 for the first time in his young career, takes on the 23rd seed Magdalena Frech in the third round after the Pole’s slide 0-6 6-0 6-2 victory over Anna Blinkova.

Late Wednesday night, Spain’s Paula Badosa needed just 48 minutes to set up a third-round meeting with the 17th seed Marta Kostyukthe 11th seed outclasses Australian wildcard Talia Gibson 6-1 6-0 on the Margaret Court Arena.

Earlier, AO 2024 quarter-finalist Kostyuk was in similarly dominant mood against Germany’s Jule Neimeier on Court 5, winning 6-3 6-0 in one hour and four minutes.