Naomi Osaka celebrates a hard-fought grass-court win, marking her first of the season as she builds towards Wimbledon. Image: Getty Images.
(The Post News)– Former world No. 1s Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka both booked their spots in the second round of the Bad Homburg Open on Monday, gaining much-needed momentum ahead of Wimbledon.
Osaka edged past Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in a tense two-set battle, winning 7-6(6), 7-6(4). The Japanese wildcard, who returned to the tour earlier this year after maternity leave, racked up 16 aces and held her nerve through two tight tie-breaks. “It’s my first win on grass this year, so I’m really happy,” she said post-match, acknowledging both the challenge and excitement of the surface.
Her win breaks a three-match losing streak that stretched back to the French Open. Osaka now faces fifth seed Emma Navarro in the second round.
Danilovic, who fired 10 aces herself, pushed Osaka all the way. But Osaka’s clutch play, particularly her comeback from 4-2 down in the first-set tiebreak and her dominance in the second, proved decisive. A key moment came when a challenge overturned a Danilovic ace, swinging momentum firmly in Osaka’s favour.
Meanwhile, Azarenka cruised past Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-2. The 35-year-old, who came through qualifying, looked sharp as she set up a high-profile second-round clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Elsewhere, last year’s runner-up Donna Vekic avenged her 2023 final defeat by beating Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-3. The Croatian didn’t face a single break point and now meets Linda Noskova, who beat Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-2.
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