- Defending champion sets up likely third round encounter with Coco Gauff after straight sets win on Margaret Court Arena
- Third seed says she is not feeling the pressure in Melbourne
Defending champion Naomi Osaka marched into the third round of the Australian Open with a straights set win over China's Zheng Saisai on Wednesday morning.
Third seed Osaka overcame frustration, which almost saw her throw her racquet, and a scare from the unseeded Chinese to win 6-2, 6-4 on a windy Margaret Court Arena.
Zheng was 4-2 up in the second set before world number four Osaka came back to win in 80 minutes.
"I got really fired up when she was up, and people started clapping more because of all the drama," she said after the win.
"Ash is like 2,000 points ahead of me and I have to defend this, I'm like yo, I'm going to drop out of the Top 10 for real!"@naomiosaka isn't even thinking about the No.1 ranking #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3WBdl6e9VP
" #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
"I was complaining over here, and almost throwing my racquet over here " I didn't though! " but it all worked out."
The 22-year-old Japanese has not dropped a set in her title defence but is not feeling the pressure.
"I think I got that all out after my experience at the US Open," Osaka said of winning in New York in 2018.
"I just think of it as a new tournament. The only thing that may have changed is that people might want to beat me more.
"I didn't deal with that well after this tournament last year, I'll tell you. Now I think of it as a nice challenge.
'Confident' Coco Gauff beats Venus Williams again
"Someone wanting to play their best against me is something I have to feel fortunate about, because it's how I get better."
The defending champion sets up the possibility of a tie with 15-year-old Coco Guaff, who faces Sorana Cirstea in the second round on Wednesday.
Gauff beat Venus Williams in the first round, a repeat of her Wimbledon win last summer.
Way to save break point, @naomiosaka!#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ecHlpzTiz6
" #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020
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