The Japanese, former world No.1 down to 77th place, will face the Czech Karolina Muchova (74th), who eliminated 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) the Canadian Leylah Fernandez (22nd), finalist of the last US Open.
Osaka, who revealed to have "started working with a therapist", after wiping away a few tears ten days ago in Indian Wells when a spectator shouted "Naomi, you suck", showed a determination rarely seen on his part in recent months.
Quarter-finalist in Miami last year, she was offensive and solid in the exchanges, setting the pace, without her opponent (15th in the world) being able to hope to change the situation.
"It's the highest seed (N.13, editor's note) that I have beaten this season and I'm really happy. I came into this game wanting to dictate my law and I hope that by continuing to play, I will continue to improve," she commented afterwards.
When she missed a few points, especially her first two match points, Osaka immediately remotivated herself in her substitutions, body language saying a lot about her desire not to let herself be defeated in this match.
Wednesday after her first round victory at the expense of Australian Astra Sharma, she explained that her therapist had "talked to her about strategies and a whole bunch of stuff like deep breathing, resetting the counters when necessary".
"I'm starting to realize how much all of this can help me. I'm very happy to have people around me who have encouraged me to go in this direction," she said.
Among the other qualifiers of the day are the American Danielle Collins (11th), finalist of the last Australian Open, and the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (10th).
Finally, note the packages before their entry into the running of the Spaniard Garbiñe Muguruza (9th), who is treating a left shoulder injury, and the Romanian Simona Halep (19th), victim of a tear in the left thigh .
© 2022 AFP