Since returning to action a year ago, Osaka has shown signs of getting her game back together, including a memorable and narrow loss to then-No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the French Open.

At her peak, the four-time Grand Slam champion played her best tennis in the toughest moments. In Melbourne, she did it again.

A four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka returned from maternity leave last year and lost in the first or second round of all four major tournaments. The 27-year-old Japan native has not won any event on the WTA Tour since capturing her second Australian Open title to start 2021.

Naomi Osaka beat Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 at the Australian Open, reaching the third round at a Grand Slam for the first time since her return from maternity leave.

For the first time in three years, the tennis world will see Naomi Osaka in the third round of a Grand Slam.

Naomi Osaka has admitted she was out for “revenge” against Karolina Muchova at the Australian Open. The two-time former champion came from a set down to beat the Czech star on Wednesday - months after Muchova ousted her from the US Open. Afterwards, Osaka explained why she was “so mad” the last time the world No. 20 beat her.

Naomi Osaka is back in the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2022 and she got there with wins at the Australian Open over two women who blocked her path last year. Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen won't be repeating her surprising run to the Australian Open final after a second-round upset loss to No.