Naomi Osaka kept her Wimbledon 2026 run rolling on Wednesday (1 July), defeating Anastasia Gasanova 6-3, 6-2 on Court 2 to book her place in the third round.
In the maiden meeting between the two players, Osaka entered as the favourite and played like it.
The four-time Grand Slam champion controlled the match behind her serve, firing eight aces and winning 76 per cent of points behind her first delivery.
Gasanova arrived with momentum of her own after coming through qualifying and winning her opening round match against Emiliana Arango. But against Osaka, the world No.225 struggled to find enough pressure on return, winning just 11 receiving points across the match.
The Japanese tennis star, meanwhile, converted three of six break points and did not face a single break point herself, keeping the match on her racket from start to finish.
After the match, Osaka admitted in the on-court interview that she had been nervous, though not for the reason one might expect:
“Tomorrow is my daughter’s birthday,” she said. “I just wanted to be here for longer. I don’t want to make her get on a plane on her birthday.”
Now guaranteed at least one more match at the All England Club, Osaka revealed the pair already have plans to celebrate.
“Obviously, I have to practice in the morning, but maybe after we’ll go around the park and stuff,” she said. “She loves making friends, so yeah, probably do that.”
The victory backs up Osaka’s opening-round win over Elsa Jacquemot and continues a promising grass-court swing that included a run to the Bad Homburg final.
After a precautionary withdrawal from that final sparked some concerns ahead of Wimbledon, Osaka has looked sharp, comfortable on the surface, and impeccably dressed.
AloJapan.com