Naomi Osaka’s Stunning Comeback: What Secret Strategy Turned Her Australian Open Match Around?

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Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round of the Australian Open following a hard-fought victory over 20th seed Karolína Muchová. Osaka, who found herself down a set initially, employed a straightforward strategy to swing without hesitation, which turned the tide in her favor. She rallied to win the match 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, relying on her self-belief and preparation for the tournament. Osaka had previously reached the finals of the Auckland Open, where she navigated difficult matches and retired due to an abdominal issue.

Reflecting on her victory, Osaka emphasized the importance of believing in herself, particularly after the challenging opening set. Her journey to the third round is notable as it marks her first appearance in the last 32 of a major since 2022, following a 15-month hiatus from the tour. During her break, Osaka gave birth to her daughter Shai and gradually returned to competitive tennis last year.


Her win against Muchová also reversed her fortunes against the same opponent, whom she lost to at the US Open last August. Now ranked 51st in the world, the victory holds significance for Osaka as she continues to rebuild her career. Osaka is set to face Belinda Bencic in the upcoming round, following Bencic’s victory over Suzan Lamens.