Naomi Osaka has reached the third round of Roland Garros for the first time since 2019.
Osaka overcame a tricky opponent in Laura Siegemund in her first round match, and it did not get much easier for the former world number one with Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic her second round opponent.
The Japanese star was able to overcome the Croatian, with Osaka beating Vekic 7-6(1), 6-4.
Osaka is now into the third round of Roland Garros for the fourth time and the first since 2019, and she reacted to this statistic after her victory.
Naomi Osaka says it ‘means a lot’ to return to the third round of Roland Garros
Osaka was told that she had returned to the third round of Roland Garros for the first time in seven years in her on-court interview, as she spoke about what this meant to her.
“Honestly it means a lot, thank you guys for staying and watching the match,” responded Osaka. “I just feel so grateful, it’s like another milestone so I just hope I can continue to play more matches in front of you guys.”
Do you like Naomi Osaka’s desire to create new outfits at Grand Slams or is it a distraction? 👀
Osaka has won both of her first two matches in straight sets at Roland Garros so far this year, and she stated that she was just trying to stay focused on the task at hand.
“Honestly, they were both really incredible players, so I was just trying to play the best that I can that day and just trying to be focussed and trying to keep going point by point and I ended up winning, so I’m really happy about that,” Osaka answered.
One of the big talking points at Roland Garros this year has been Osaka’s unique outfits, and she even had a different walk-on attire for her second round match than she did in the first round.
When asked if she could have a different outfit for every round, Osaka claimed that she liked to ‘keep people on their toes’.
Osaka answered, “You know I like to keep people on their toes and I think it’s really fun, you know there’s like a community that has been built over my on court outfits so I just like to keep you guys guessing and I really enjoy that you guys enjoy.”
Who is Naomi Osaka playing in the third round of Roland Garros?
Osaka will now return to the third round of Roland Garros for the first time in seven years, the round where she has lost three times before.
As she looks to achieve her best ever result at Roland Garros, Osaka will play against American teenager Iva Jovic.
Jovic comprehensively won her second round match against Strasbourg Open champion Emma Navarro, and she is now into the third round of Roland Garros for the first time in her young career.
Who will win the Roland Garros Women’s Singles title?
This will be a first-time meeting between Osaka and Jovic, as they both look to reach the fourth round of Roland Garros for the first time in their respective careers.
Osaka and Jovic will play each other for the first time on Saturday, May 30.
