NEW DELHI: Naomi Osaka, the former world number one, showcased her prowess on the grass courts of 's-Hertogenbosch in The Hague, advancing to the quarter-finals with a commanding straight-set victory over Dutch player Suzan Lamens.
The Japanese star, currently ranked 125th, needed less than an hour to secure a 6-2, 6-2 win, her powerful serves and groundstrokes proving too much for her opponent.
In the next round, Osaka will face Canada's Bianca Andreescu, who also progressed in straight sets against China's sixth-seeded Yuan Yue.
"I definitely do feel more relaxed. I feel more calm with the plan I have and just really grateful to be back," said Osaka, attributing her good form to being "more comfortable returning and accepting mistakes as they come."
The first set remained on serve until the sixth game, with both players struggling to adapt to the windy conditions.
Osaka then seized control, breaking Lamens' serve with a series of powerful shots from both wings, aided by unforced errors from the Dutchwoman. More mistakes from Lamens in her next service game handed Osaka the first set 6-2 in just 26 minutes.
Osaka continued her dominance at the start of the second set, breaking Lamens' first service game with a string of winners to take a 3-0 lead. The match concluded as Lamens hit another groundstroke into the net.
Despite admitting that grass is not her preferred surface, with her four Grand Slam titles coming on the hard courts of the US and Australian Opens, Osaka appears to be gradually regaining the form that once took her to the top of the world rankings.
She has never advanced beyond the third round at Wimbledon but recently pushed eventual French Open champion Iga Swiatek to match point in the second round, the toughest challenge the world number one faced on the Parisian clay.
(With AFP inputs)
