PARIS — Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round of the French Open on Thursday after defeating Donna Vekic 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 at Roland Garros.
The victory marked Osaka’s first appearance in the tournament’s third round since 2019.
Osaka, the tournament’s 16th seed and a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, will face American teenager Iva Jovic in the next round. Both players seek their first career appearance in the last 16 at Roland Garros.
Vekic secured an early service break in the opening set, but Osaka recovered the deficit and broke again while Vekic served for the set. Osaka then won the tie-break 7-1.
In the second set, Osaka earned a late break of serve and closed out the match against the world No. 72.
Osaka reached the semifinals of the US Open last year, marking her deepest run at a major tournament since winning the Australian Open in 2021.
The former world No. 1 returned to professional competition in early 2024 after taking time away from the tour following the birth of her daughter.