Naomi Osaka has won two matches in a row at the Qatar Open as her tennis comeback continues.
She won both matches in straight sets, defeating Caroline Garcia 7-5, 6-4 on Monday and Petra Martić 6-3, 7-6, on Tuesday.
“It was really tough today, but I also felt really inspired because I haven’t been here in a while, and just to see everyone out here,” Osaka said per Tennis.com after Monday’s Match against Garcia. “I saw a lot of Haitian and Japanese flags. It means a lot to me and it’s really nice to play in front of everyone.”
Osaka made her return to tennis on January 1, after being out on maternity leave. She gave birth to a baby girl named Shai in July 2023 and is striving to do her best for her daughter.
“Part of me felt like Shai was watching me,” Osaka said to the Guardian after her first match back. “I wanted to do my best for her.”
Osaka will face Lesia Tsurenko in the Round of 16 at the Qatar Open on Wednesday.
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