Osaka engineers stage a brave comeback to set Bencic clash in Melbourne

MELBOURNE – Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka rallied from a set down to defeat No. 20 seed Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

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Coming off her stunning 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Caroline Garcia in the first round, Osaka overcame a slow start to beat last year’s US Open semi-finalist to advance to the third round at a Grand Slam for the first one. time since her return from maternity leave.

“It means a lot,” Osaka said in court. “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.

“I’m glad I got my revenge. It’s not a bad thing, revenge is competitive. She’s one of the toughest opponents out there.”

Three takeaways from another ugly win for the former world no. 1:

Osaka stays true to her word: Osaka began her 2025 Hologic WTA Tour season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. Heading into her first tournament final since 2022 Miami, Osaka spoke of a renewed understanding of what she needs to do to rack up the results she desperately needs to go deep in tournaments consistently.

“I’ve been saying this for years,” Osaka said in Auckland, “I’m not the most talented player, but I feel like I work the hardest and that gives me a lot of confidence. But when you’re in a fistfight with someone else person, in the end it’s who wants it more.

“Last year it was really hard for me to get that mindset and you could see that in a lot of my matches. I think the tennis was there all year, but it was more of a mindset. I think now, here I think Me, I’m ready for the fight.”

Osaka was quick to admit that she is not confrontational, but so far her 2025 season has shown that her pugilistic words are not just empty talk. After defeating Garcia in the first round, Osaka was asked if the victory turned the page on her streak of heartbreaking three-set losses in 2024.

“If you were to say ‘turn the page’, I’d probably say it was in Auckland because I played really tough matches there in really tough conditions,” Osaka said. “I felt like even though the tennis wasn’t necessarily the cleanest, I think it was like the mental side that got me through in the final. I was really happy about that. I think that carried over to this match, ​​because I don’t I don’t feel like I played the cleanest tonight either.

“Mentally, I just really wanted to win a lot.”

Osaka dug in to get her revenge: The Australian Open draw has proved to be Osaka’s revenge. By beating Garcia, she avenged a pair of defeats to the Frenchman from last season, including a first-round exit here. Muchova knocked her out in the second round of the US Open last fall and has the style of play that can pick apart Osaka’s baseline aggression.

And that’s exactly what the wily Czech did in the first set. Muchova jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opener, doubling Osaka into the winning column and looking the sharper, more skilled player destined for a straight-sets victory.

But Osaka showed signs of life in the final game of the set. She generated three break points but could not convert, but the game seemed to fill Osaka with belief.

“After the first set, I just told myself, fight for every point,” Osaka said. “If she beats me 6-1, 6-1, then she’s the best player ever.”

Sure enough, Osaka reeled in her power and found her targets. She turned the tables on Muchova by breaking down the Czech’s forehand side and by the end of the match moved the stat sheet in her favor.

Osaka finished with 33 winners to 27 unforced errors, while Muchova hit 27 winners to 29 unforced errors.

Osaka faces another familiar foe: It will be a battle of the mothers in the third round as Osaka faces a returning Belinda Bencic, who is playing her first Grand Slam since giving birth to daughter Bella. Bencic has been another tough opponent throughout his career, with the Swiss owning a 3-2 record over Osaka.

“I think it will be a fun match,” Bencic said after her 6-1, 7-6(3) victory over Suzan Lamens. “I think she beat me last time, but I have a good record against her. But it doesn’t really matter anymore. I feel good playing her. I think it will be a nice match. Hopefully on a large track.

“We really enjoy. being in the third round and getting an opportunity like this.”

Osaka will be ready for another challenge against a familiar opponent. Regardless of their history or shared life experience, Osaka will have her game-face on.

“It probably adds extra stuff for you guys. Not necessarily for me,” Osaka said. “Of course we get labeled as ‘moms’. I think when you go on the tennis court, you just think of yourself as a tennis player.”