Naomi Osaka’s fierce Australian Open win over Soran Cirste as defending champion Maditon Keys, Iga Svatek and Anismova ALL Advanced.
The four-time Grand Slam champion from Osaka, who won the 2019 and 2021 Australian Open trophies, recovered from a second-set error to beat Romania’s Cirstea 6-3 4-6 6-2.
There was an icy handshake at the end of the match, and Cirstea was unhappy that Osaka was shouting ‘come on’ between points.
Speaking during an on-court interview, the 28-year-old said: “Obviously (I said) a lot of ‘likes’ she was mad about. Whatever. She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open. I’m sorry she was mad about that.”
Osaka’s big fashion statement went viral ahead of her first win at Rod Laver Arena.
On another court at Melbourne Park for her second-round match, Osaka ditched the fashionable wide-brimmed hat, veil and parasol, but still wore a jellyfish-inspired dress.
Instead, she matched a warm-up jacket in the same blue and green aqua shades as her Nike dress and wore a visor.
Defending champion Madison Keys overcame struggles with her game to reach the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 7-5 win over Ashlyn Kruger.
The 30-year-old was again less than convincing in victory, two days after beating Ukrainian debutant Oleksandra Olijnikova in the first round.
Keys took 23 minutes to win the first set with confidence as the American hit seven winners and converted all three break points against her compatriot in a one-sided start to the contest.
But the current world No. 9 allowed doubt to creep into her game in the second set, handing Kruger two breaks of serve with a string of double faults that saw the 21-year-old open up a three-game lead.
Keys, however, responded by winning five games in a row to close out the match and advance to the next round.
“I started off really well, and I think Ashlyn started off a little slow, and then I fully expected her to step up, which she did,” Keys said.
“Once I kind of got that momentum going, I tried to sink my teeth into the set, and do everything I could to get back into it.”
Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Sviatek she cruised past Marie Buzkova with a 6-2 6-3 win as she chased her first major title in Melbourne.
“It was great to play today, I felt more free than in the first round, so I wanted to do it,” Sviatek said.
“The conditions weren’t easy, I don’t know if you can tell. It’s super windy, so I had to adapt to that so I’m happy with the performance.
“This won’t sound like I’m being modest, but after so many wins, it’s hard to appreciate one match. I’m usually happy after I finish the whole tournament if I win,” she added.
“If not, I’m a little less happy, but for sure I have to learn to appreciate every match and not take everything for granted and play to win. Today was a good day and I felt good.”
Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova saw off Katerina Siniakova 6-1 6-4 and the sixth seed Jessica Pegula beat doubles partner McCartney Kessler 6-0 6-2.
Former World No.1 Karolina Pliskovawho had two operations on her left ankle last year and played only three matches, defeated Indonesia’s Janice Tien 6-4 6-4 to advance to the third round.
Another Czech star, Linda Noskovashe beat Australia’s Tayla Preston 6-2 4-6 6-2.
Preston came back strongly in the second set but ran out of steam against the 13th seed in the decider.
25th seed, Paul Badosa semi-finalist in Melbourne 12 months ago, made an early exit, losing to unseeded Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-4 6-4 in her second round of the competition.
Watch the ATP and VTA Tours, live on Ski Sports or stream from NOW and the Ski Sports applicationgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 percent more live sports this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.