Tokyo 2020 - Naomi Osaka beats Viktorija Golubic in straight sets to reach third round of Olympics

ByCoral Barry

Updated 26/07/2021 at 07:28 GMT

Naomi Osaka is through to the next round of the Olympics after beating Viktorija Golubic in straight sets 6-3 6-2. The Japanese star is competing in her home Games and was again in fine form on the court. Osaka needed just over an hour to beat Golubic and will take on Mihaela Buzarnescu or Marketa Vondrousova in her next match.

Naomi Osaka cruised into the third round of the Olympics with a straight sets victory over Viktorija Golubic 6-3 6-2.

Osaka was dominant in her first match in two months on Saturday in Tokyo, beating China’s Zheng Saisai in straight sets and dropping just five games.

And her second-round encounter was a similar affair, with Golubic only able to keep pace for a short while before fading rapidly under pressure from Osaka.

Billie Jean King Cup

Osaka aiming for Paris Olympics after helping Japan reach Billie Jean King finals

13/04/2024 at 20:01

It took time for Osaka to find her rhythm with neither woman really troubled on her serve until the sixth game. Osaka didn’t quite convert the chance to break the Swiss, but did just that minutes later to take a 5-3 lead.

The break proved decisive as Osaka served for the set in the next game, although the Japanese star was forced to defend one break point before winning the set.

• Peaty wins Team GB's first gold
• Titmus stuns Ledecky to win gold

Osaka remarkably finished the first set with a 100% first serve percentage, winning 21 of the 26 points up for grabs on her first serve.

While Golubic kept close to Osaka in the first set, Osaka set the tone for the second set by breaking her opponent back to back.

'What a return to the court' - Osaka dominant in opening victory in Tokyo

Osaka took the first four games hardly dropping any points on her service game. Osaka only needed 34 minutes to win the first set and improved and the second was a minute quicker.

Golubic won just two games in the second and Osaka won the match with a shut-out in her final service game.

Osaka’s accuracy was superb as she restricted herself to just eleven unforced errors throughout the match and the top seed is still yet to drop a service game at Tokyo 2020.

---

Watch every unmissable moment live from Tokyo 2020 across Eurosport, the Eurosport app and discovery+. Download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

Billie Jean King Cup

Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers: Which top stars are playing?

11/04/2024 at 11:13

WTA Miami

Garcia dumps Osaka out of Miami Open to set up last-16 tie against Gauff

25/03/2024 at 07:00

WTA Miami

Osaka beats Svitolina for best win since WTA return, Swiatek cruises into round three

24/03/2024 at 08:24