Naomi Osaka secured her place in the third round of the Australian Open after defeating Sorana Cîrstea.
Osaka came into the Australian Open straight from suffering from illness at the United Cup, and she has been put through her paces in Melbourne.
The star has needed three sets in both of her matches at the Australian Open, as she came through in her first round against Antonia Ružić.
A third match against Maddison Inglis awaits for Osaka, and the Japanese star has shared a fitness update in her press conference.
Naomi Osaka says she has a ‘reoccurring’ injury
Osaka is a two-time champion at the Australian Open, but she has struggled with various issues in the last year.
Osaka still does not have a full bill of health and she shared what her main issues were in her Australian Open press conference.
“It’s kind of a reoccurring thing. I guess if you look at my medical history, you can maybe do like a little guessing game,” said Osaka.
Nevertheless, the Japanese star was delighted to continue her journey at the first Grand Slam of the season.
“Yeah, I think for me, I’m just really glad that I kind of pushed through it and also played, like, really good tennis in the third set. I try to just leave the tournament site with that in mind for the next days.”
Osaka’s third round match with Inglis is set to take place on Saturday, 24 January, with the order of play yet to be confirmed.
Naomi Osaka could face tough tests at the Australian Open
Osaka’s draw has opened up nicely for the star thus far, but she will likely be in for tough tests if she finds a way through Inglis.
She was set to face seeded player Liudmila Samsonova at this stage, but she fell in the first round to Laura Siegemund.
Siegemund would have provided a tough test for Osaka, but she was shocked by qualifier Inglis in her second round match.
Osaka will likely not be as lucky if she finds a way past the Australian, with Swiatek probably waiting in the wings in the fourth round.
Swiatek will be the overwhelming favourite to win that match, but if Osaka does win then she could face Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
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