Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka wore a broad smile after booking her place in the third round of Wimbledon, but it was not just the tennis that was on her mind. Moments after brushing aside Russian qualifier Anastasia Gasanova 6-3, 6-2 on Court 2 on Wednesday, Osaka revealed that her biggest source of nerves was her daughter Shai’s birthday, which falls on Thursday.
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When asked during her on-court interview whether she had been nervous before the match, Osaka immediately replied, “Yes!” She then explained the emotional reason behind her anxiety.
“Tomorrow’s my daughter’s birthday. I just wanted to be here for longer. I don’t wanna make her get on a plane on her birthday,” Osaka said with a laugh, before adding that she was “really happy” to have extended her stay at the All England Club.
The Japanese star also shared her birthday plans, saying tennis would still come first before family celebrations.
“Obviously I have to practice in the morning but maybe after we’ll go around the park and stuff. She loves making friends so yeah, probably do that,” she said.
The heartfelt exchange drew warm applause from the Wimbledon crowd and showed how motherhood has become a central part of Osaka’s life since returning to the tour. The victory ensured she could celebrate Shai’s special day in London instead of heading home early, while also keeping alive her hopes of producing her best-ever Wimbledon run.
Osaka has reached the third round at the grass-court major on multiple occasions but is yet to progress beyond that stage. She is now set to face Australia’s Daria Kasatkina for a place in the last 16.
OSAKA DOMINATES GASANOVA
Osaka looked in complete control throughout her one-hour, five-minute victory over Gasanova. The 14th seed broke serve early in the opening set and dictated play with her trademark powerful groundstrokes, sealing the set 6-3 with an ace.
Although Gasanova briefly threatened to make the second set competitive, Osaka quickly raised her intensity. A thunderous overhead winner helped her secure the decisive break for a 4-2 lead before she comfortably closed out the match 6-2. The former world No.1 struck the ball cleanly from both wings, served efficiently and rarely allowed her opponent to settle into long rallies.
Fresh from her opening-round win over Elsa Jacquemot, Osaka has now reached the Wimbledon third round once again and appears increasingly comfortable on grass. With confidence building and family providing extra motivation, the Japanese star will hope to finally break new ground at the All England Club.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
