Former world number ones Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka progressed to the second round of the Bad Homburg Open on Monday, boosting their preparations ahead of Wimbledon.
Japan’s Osaka overcame Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) in a tight, two-hour grass-court battle marked by powerful serving. The four-time Grand Slam champion fired 16 aces and saved four break points, halting a three-match losing streak dating back to Rome, the French Open, and Berlin.
“It’s my first grass-court win of the year, so I’m really excited,” said Osaka, who received a wildcard into the main draw. “I think I have potential on grass, but everyone else is also really good. I’m just super excited I won today.”
Osaka, continuing her return from maternity leave, next faces fifth-seeded American Emma Navarro in the second round.
Belarusian veteran Victoria Azarenka, 35, also advanced with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Germany’s Laura Siegemund. Azarenka, a qualifier this week, will next meet world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland in a highly anticipated second-round clash.
Meanwhile, last year’s finalist Donna Vekic of Croatia reversed her 2023 result against Russia’s Diana Shnaider with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win. Vekic saved all four break points she faced and now moves on to face Czech rising star Linda Noskova, who defeated Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-2.
The Bad Homburg Open continues to serve as a crucial Wimbledon tune-up, with several top names seeking form on grass ahead of next week’s Grand Slam.
Written By Rodney Mbua
