Naomi Osaka reaches the Roland Garros fourth round for the first time in her career after defeating Iva Jovic
Naomi Osaka is through to the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time in her career after beating Iva Jovic in a tough three-set battle.
The match lasted just under three hours, with Osaka eventually coming out on top 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 to reach the round of 16 in Paris.
It’s the eighth time Osaka has made it to this stage of a Grand Slam, but all her previous appearances had come at either the Australian Open or the US Open.
Jovic may have exited in the third round, but she added valuable experience and two more Grand Slam wins to her resume at just 18 years old. Afterwards, Osaka spoke highly of Jovic and even predicted her future.
Osaka shares thoughts on victory over Jovic at Roland Garros
During her post-match interview, Osaka was asked whether that was the best clay match of her career. She responded: “I mean, probably.
“I hope that every year I get better and better, but she’s an amazing player. It was my first time playing her, and I’m sure we’re going to see her very far in Grand Slams. Well, she already did, but more.”
Reflecting on how her game has developed over the years, she added: “Honestly, when I was younger, I didn’t have a good serve.”
“I was a little bit of a pusher, so it’s something that I developed later on. And yeah, I mean, I’m really glad that it was working.”
“I think against some players you really need to put your serve in, and she was very aggressive on my second serve, so I definitely felt a lot of pressure.”
Anne Keothavong praises Naomi Osaka’s determination
Speaking on TNT Sports, former British player Anne Keothavong noted: “Clay isn’t a natural surface for her, but I do think the conditions have helped.”
“It’s been warm, it’s been lively, it’s been fast, it plays to her strengths. She certainly needed all the help she could get today.”
Keothavong continued: “The willingness to really fight and battle out there, that’s what I love to see from Naomi Osaka. I don’t want to see her just fold under pressure.”
“I want to see her just keep battling, keep bringing the energy, and today I thought she was outstanding in that department.”
The four-time major champion now awaits a fourth-round matchup against either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or Daria Kasatkina at Roland Garros.
Read more: