Australian Open 2025 results: Naomi Osaka takes 'little revenge' to reach third round
2025-01-15
Category: sports

Australian Open 2025Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne ParkCoverage: Live radio commentary on Tennis Breakfast from 07:00 GMT on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app
Naomi Osaka said she had gained a "little revenge" after producing a stirring fightback to beat Karolina Muchova and reach the Australian Open third round.Two-time Australian Open champion Osaka lost to the Czech in straight sets at last year's US Open but came back from a set down in Melbourne to win 1-6 6-1 6-3.It is the first time Osaka has reached a Grand Slam third round since returning from maternity leave last year."She crushed me at the US Open when I had my best outfit ever. I was so mad," Japan's Osaka joked to the crowd."This was my little revenge. It's not a bad thing, guys - revenge is competitive. She's one of the toughest opponents out there."
Osaka, 27, gave birth to daughter Shai in July 2023 and returned to the WTA Tour six months later.The four-time major winner lost in the first round on her Slam return at the Australian Open last year, before exiting in the second round at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.But the former world number one is off to an impressive start in 2025, beating France's Caroline Garcia in three sets in her opening match before overcoming 20th seed Muchova in just under two hours."Honestly, it took everything," Osaka said of her comeback victory on Wednesday."I felt like I left everything I had on the court. Just to be back on these courts... it really makes my whole year."Osaka will play Belinda Bencic in the next round, with the Canadian herself playing her first Grand Slam since giving birth to daughter Bella in April 2024.A third straight victory would send Osaka into the fourth round at a major for the first time since she won the Australian Open in 2021.