French Open: Osaka equals best Roland-Garros run by downing Vekic

Naomi Osaka equalled her best-ever run at the French Open by defeating Donna Vekic in straight sets to reach the third round on Thursday (May 28).

Osaka, who previously reached round three at Roland-Garros in 2016, 2018 and 2019, will now have a chance to record her best performance at the clay-court slam when she faces 18-year-old Iva Jovic at the next stage.

The 16th seed did not have things all her own way against Vekic, though, needing an hour and 51 minutes to come through with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 victory.

Osaka found herself a break down on two occasions in the opener, but she quickly fought back in both instances to force a tie-break that she controlled with ease, having won the first six points in a row.

Both players applied ferocious pressure to their opponent's serve early in the second, then they exchanged breaks in games three and four to leave things delicately poised.

But another break in game five got the job done for Osaka, who has not enjoyed playing on clay in the past but now has an opportunity to break new ground in Paris.

"I just feel so grateful, it's like another milestone and I hope I can continue to play more matches in front of you guys," Osaka said, reflecting on her two wins this week.

"They were both incredible players, so I was trying to play the best I could on the day, keep focused and keep going point by point, and I ended up winning, so I'm really happy."

Seventeenth seed Jovic reached round three for the first time by recording a comprehensive 6-0 6-3 success over fellow American Emma Navarro.

Osaka improving on clay

This was only Osaka's 10th victory in the women's singles at the French Open, making this the second WTA clay-court event where she has reached double figures, after the Italian Open (11).

She now boasts 73 victories at grand slams overall, and in the Open Era, the only Asian players with more are Li Na (90) and Ai Sugiyama (84).