MELBOURNE, Australia – Defending champion Naomi Osaka threw her racket, tossed a ball and kicked the racket again for good measure before sitting with a towel over her head. She sensed the crowd was looking for drama, and she gave them a little bit.
Osaka pulled it together quickly in a swirling breeze on Margaret Court Arena and beat Zheng Saisai 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday to advance to the third round of the Australian Open.
On the adjoining show court, 2019 runner-up Petra Kvitova held her composure when she faced three set points before winning 13 of the next 15 points to beat Paula Badosa 7-5, 7-5.
Both of last year's finalists had secured spots in the third round before some of the women had completed their first-round matches in the singles draw. A backlog caused by heavy rain on Day 1 caused a further spillover on Day 2.
On Day 3, the lineup on the show courts was full of major winners. French Open champion and No. 1-seeded Ash Barty defeated Polona Hercog 6-1, 6-4 on Rod Laver, the center court.
Osaka was unimpressed with her performance.
"I hope you guys like the tennis that's coming after my match," third-seeded Osaka told the crowd in an on-court interview, "because it wasn't that pretty."
She had her service broken three times, including the one in the second set that caused the minor tantrum.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
PGA champ Thomas not alone in going to Colonial from Tulsa
Heat's Tyler Herro (groin) out for Game 5 against Celtics
Banged-up Yankees add Stanton, Loáisiga to injured list
NFL to appeal ruling in Gruden lawsuit over leaked emails
