An error-riddled Naomi Osaka left her parasol, hat and veil in storage on Thursday before the Japanese superstar ground into the Australian Open third round with a nervy win that ended in acrimony.
Order of Play | Watch Live on DStv
The four-time major champion stunned the opening Grand Slam of the year on Tuesday when she emerged onto centre court for her first-round match decked out in an audacious "jellyfish-inspired" outfit.
Her white umbrella, matching wide-brimmed hat and long gauzy veil was complemented by a sleeveless turquoise dress over pleated white trousers.
The dress and trousers made another appearance, but the rest was left behind.
Job done 👏
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2026
Osaka was tested, but prevailed. The third round awaits 🤟 pic.twitter.com/SPufZYS4FZ
Instead, it was all business on Margaret Court Arena, with the 28-year-old downing experienced Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 5-2 in exactly 2hrs.
But it was far from a vintage performance, with a bumper 41 unforced errors and the match ended with some angry words from Cirstea at the net.
The win put Osaka into a clash next with Australia's 168th-ranked Maddison Inglis, who outlasted German veteran Laura Siegemund over three tight sets.
"I tried to play well. I think I hit a lot of errors, but I tried my best," she said.
"She's a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open. So sorry she was mad about it.
"Honestly, I was just fighting as hard as I could. Just fighting," she added.
Osaka, who won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, laboured to a three-set win in her first round and it was more of the same against the 35-year-old Cirstea.
The 16th seed Osaka was broken immediately with a wild forehand gifting the Romanian, but she made amends with a sizzling backhand winner down the line to earn a break back for 2-2.
Osaka pounced again with a break to love for 5-3 as Cirstea's serve began to let her down and wrapped up the set in 34 minutes.
Pretty sensational coverage from Osaka to close out the first set 👏@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/tA1Gmetb0x
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2026
But Cirstea, in her 18th and last Australian Open having announced 2026 will be her final season, refused to go away.
She broke for a 2-0 advantage in the second set after the world number 17 spilt a backhand wide.
Osaka again responded to level, but she was plagued by errors, with 14 in the set, and the Romanian took it to a decider.
An off-court break revitalised Osaka and she broke straight away to take charge in set three, keeping her foot to the floor to stay alive.