Naomi Osaka recovered from a set down on Tuesday to defeat young Canadian star Leylah Fernandez at the Wuhan Open.
Osaka, who has been given a tough draw in China, continued to impress during a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory.
The Japanese star recently suffered a shock defeat at the China Open. However, she showed little sign of a hangover in Wuhan, defeating the Washington Open champion with aplomb.
In the next round, Osaka will face either China Open finalist Linda Noskova, or Kazakhstani player Yulia Putintseva.
Osaka’s victory over Fernandez was the latest triumph in what has been an impressive season for the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Naomi Osaka records seven comeback victories in 2025
As per OptaAce, Naomi Osaka has recorded her seventh victory after losing the first set at WTA-level during 2025, equalling her most such wins in a single season.
Osaka, who has been tipped for future Grand Slam success, also registered seven comeback victories in 2019.
The Japanese player’s first comeback victory of 2025 came in the Australian Open second round, where she defeated 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
In March, Osaka came back from a set down during the Miami Open first round, beating Yulia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Her next comeback victory came against Diane Parry during a Challenger event in Saint-Malo. Osaka defeated the French star 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
At the Italian Open, Osaka completed the feat twice, defeating Viktoria Golubic and Marie Bouzkova in three sets before losing to Peyton Stearns in the round of 16.
Her sixth comeback victory of the season occurred at the Canadian Open, where she defeated Lyudmila Samsonova 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.
Osaka’s victory over Fernandez on Tuesday marked her seventh comeback victory of 2025.
Osaka avenges 2021 US Open loss
Over four years ago, Leylah Fernandez stunned US Open defending champion Naomi Osaka on her way to the final in Flushing Meadows.
Fernandez was far from a contender at the tournament, but managed to punch above her weight – also defeating Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka.
The Canadian would ultimately lose in the final to fellow teenager Emma Raducanu.
Fernandez has won four WTA Tour titles since 2021, most recently at the Washington Open.
