Former champion Naomi Osaka secured her place in the Australian Open third round with a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea on Thursday. The match marked a noticeable shift in the Japanese star’s court presentation, as she opted for a more conventional athletic ensemble compared to her headline-making first-round outfit.
Osaka’s previous marine-themed attire, complete with pastel yellow tassels, white parasol, veil, and broad-brimmed hat, had generated significant attention throughout the tournament. The bold fashion choice drew commendations from fellow players and became an instant talking point at Melbourne Park.
When questioned about the overwhelming response to her initial outfit, Osaka expressed surprise: ‘Honestly, not really. For me, it’s just something fun I love to do on the court. I don’t really talk that much but I like to express myself through clothes.’
Despite her toned-down appearance for the second round, fans at Margaret Court Arena paid homage to Osaka’s distinctive style by wearing replica hats and veils. The four-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged their support, saying, ‘I’m really glad that you guys loved it. You guys look really cool by the way.’
The match itself presented challenges for the 16th seed, who struggled initially with service breaks and unforced errors. After dropping the opening game, Osaka recovered to claim the first set. The experienced Cirstea, who announced this would be her final Australian Open before retiring at year’s end, fought back to level the match by taking the second set.
The deciding set featured dramatic moments, including a medical timeout for Osaka while leading 3-1 and tension arising from Cirstea’s objection to Osaka’s motivational shouts between serves. Despite these interruptions, Osaka elevated her game with powerful groundstrokes to secure victory.
Reflecting on the confrontation, Osaka commented: ‘(There were) apparently a lot of ‘come ons’ that she was angry about. I mean I tried to play well. I think I hit a lot of unforced errors but I tried my best. She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open, so sorry she was mad about it.’
Osaka now prepares to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis in the next round, continuing her campaign for a third Australian Open title following previous victories in 2019 and 2021.