Last Updated:June 24, 2025, 08:55 IST
Osaka defeated Olga Danilovic, while Azarenka beat Laura Siegemund to advance to the second round of the Bad Homburg tournament.
(Credit: WTA Media)
Former world number ones, Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka, progressed to the second round of the Wimbledon warm-up tournament in Bad Homburg on Monday.
Japan’s Osaka defeated Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4), while Belarusian Azarenka overcame Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-2.
Azarenka, 35, will face Poland’s Iga Swiatek in the second round.
Osaka fired 16 aces compared to Danilovic’s 10 in a match that lasted just over two hours.
“It’s my first grass-court win of the year, so I’m really excited about that,” said Osaka, a wildcard entry to the main draw.
“I think I have potential on grass, but everyone else is also really good. I can never take wins for granted, just super excited that I won today.”
The victory ends Osaka’s three-match losing streak following defeats in Rome, the French Open, and Berlin as she continues her comeback from maternity leave last year.
The four-time Grand Slam winner will now face fifth seed Emma Navarro of the United States in the second round.
Osaka saved four break points, while Danilovic fended off six, with the Japanese player prevailing in two tight tie-breaks.
Osaka rallied from 4-2 down in the first-set tiebreak, using her backhand to force an error on her second set point.
Danilovic began the second set with three consecutive aces.
In the tiebreak, Osaka challenged an ace call by Danilovic, and the review showed the ball was just out. Danilovic then double-faulted, giving Osaka a 3-1 lead.
A smash gave Osaka a 6-4 advantage and double match point, which she secured with a forehand winner on the next point.
Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka, who had to qualify for this week’s main draw, comfortably defeated wildcard Siegemund.
Croatian Donna Vekic, who lost to Diana Shnaider in last year’s Bad Homburg final, reversed that result on Monday.
Vekic saved all four break points she faced to defeat the sixth-seeded Russian 6-3, 6-3.
She will next play Czech Linda Noskova, who beat Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-2.
(with agency inputs)
Siddarth Sriram
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!First Published:News sports Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka Triumph To Progress To Second Round Of Wimbledon Warm-Up
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