Naomi Osaka Beats Talia Gibson To Enter Wimbledon 2nd Round

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Last Updated:July 01, 2025, 09:43 IST

Naomi Osaka has not secured back-to-back wins on any surface since May's Italian Open.

Naomi Osaka reacts after beating Talia Gibson. (AP Photo)

Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka overcame some first-round nerves to secure a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory against Australian qualifier Talia Gibson at Wimbledon on Monday. Although Osaka has struggled at Wimbledon in the past, never advancing beyond the third round, she demonstrated enough determination and skill to defeat the spirited Gibson.

As the evening shadows cooled the once scorching Court 18, the former world number one needed to rally in both sets against the Australian opponent.

Despite a second-round loss last year, the threat of another early exit spurred the Japanese player to dig deep when it mattered most.

“I think just making my match today, playing someone that I’ve never played before, and also getting over the first-round nerves was a little tricky," she told reporters. “I’m glad that I did it, and I hope that I have many more matches to come."

Gibson, hitting winners freely, broke to lead 3-1, but Osaka composed herself and increased the pressure, breaking back to level at 3-3 and then again to take the first set as Gibson’s errors mounted.

Gibson, ranked 126th in the world, could have faltered at that point but instead broke for a 4-3 lead, setting up a thrilling conclusion.

The Australian, making her main draw debut, served for the set twice but was denied both times as Osaka managed crucial breaks to force a tiebreak, where her superior class prevailed.

Inconsistent Osaka

Since returning from her maternity break at the start of last year, Osaka’s form has been inconsistent, though there have been glimpses of her potential. She reached the Australian Open third round in January before an injury forced her to retire and made the fourth round in Miami and Rome this year.

However, she exited the French Open in the first round and has not secured back-to-back wins on any surface since May’s Italian Open.

To end that streak at Wimbledon, Osaka will need to overcome either Katerina Siniakova or fifth-seeded Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the second round.

Osaka will need to display more of the fighting spirit she showed in her first-round match to succeed on a surface she admits doesn’t suit her game.

"I know the grass season hasn’t been particularly amazing for me this year, but I’m really happy with how much I fight every match. No matter what or no matter how I think I play, I feel like the mentality is pretty solid."

With Reuters Inputs

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