Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka displayed her dominance on the grass court as she stormed into the quarterfinals of the 's-Hertogenbosch tournament on Wednesday, preparing herself for Wimbledon with a swift straight-sets victory.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, quickly dispatched home favorite Suzan Lamens 6-2, 6-2 in under an hour, showcasing her powerful serves and groundstrokes that proved too much for the Dutch player.
Ranked 125th in the world currently, Osaka expressed feeling more relaxed and calm with her game plan, stating, "I definitely do feel more relaxed. I feel more calm with the plan I have and just really grateful to be back."
The Japanese star credited her good form to being "more comfortable returning and accepting mistakes as they come," emphasizing her mental approach to the game. In the match, Osaka took control during the first set, breaking Lamens' serve with powerful drives off both wings, securing the set 6-2 in just 26 minutes.
Osaka continued her dominance into the second set, quickly breaking Lamens' service game to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Despite grass not being her favorite surface, Osaka's powerful game and improved mental attitude are proving effective as she aims to improve her Wimbledon record, where she's never advanced beyond the third round. Her recent strong performances indicate a return to the form that once made her the world No. 1.
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