**Naomi Osaka Battles Past Hailey Baptiste to Reach Miami Open Fourth Round**
Naomi Osaka fought through a tough three-set battle against Hailey Baptiste, securing a 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-4 victory to advance to the fourth round of the Miami Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion showed resilience and determination in a match that tested her from start to finish.
Baptiste, a 22-year-old American, came into the match with confidence and played some of the best tennis of her career. From the start, she pushed Osaka with her aggressive groundstrokes and fearless shot-making. The first set was a tightly contested battle, with both players exchanging powerful baseline rallies. Osaka, despite facing some pressure moments, managed to edge out the tiebreak 8-6, securing the opening set.
However, Baptiste refused to back down. She raised her level in the second set, breaking Osaka’s serve early and maintaining her lead with steady, controlled aggression. Osaka struggled with her first serve and found herself on the defensive as Baptiste dictated play. The American took the second set 6-3, forcing a deciding third set.
In the final set, Osaka showed why she is a former world No. 1. She tightened her game, improved her first-serve percentage, and found the crucial break late in the set. Despite Baptiste’s relentless efforts, Osaka held her nerve and served out the match at 6-4, securing her place in the fourth round.
After the match, Osaka spoke about her growing confidence and readiness to face top-ranked players. “I’ve been saying I want to play against the big dogs. Now, I finally get one,” she said. That “big dog” will be Jasmine Paolini, the Italian world No. 14, who has been in excellent form this season.
With Osaka continuing to build momentum in Miami, her next match against Paolini promises to be another exciting test.