Tue Jun 24 16:40:00 UTC 2025: **Osaka Survives Tiebreak Thrillers, Azarenka Advances at Bad Homburg Open**
**Bad Homburg, Germany** – Naomi Osaka battled her way to a hard-fought victory over Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic in the first round of the Bad Homburg Open on Monday. In a match dominated by strong serving, Osaka secured a 7-6(6), 7-6(4) win after two hours and five minutes of play.
Neither player was able to break serve throughout the match, forcing two tense tiebreak sets. Osaka, currently ranked 57th, showcased her resilience, coming back from a 4-2 deficit in the first tiebreak and capitalizing on a crucial challenge and a double fault by Danilovic in the second.
“It’s my first grass-court win of the year, so I’m really excited about that,” Osaka said after the match.
The victory snaps a three-match losing streak for the former World No. 1. Osaka now advances to face No. 5 seed Emma Navarro in the second round, a rematch of their Wimbledon encounter last year, where Navarro emerged victorious.
In other action, former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka cruised past wild card Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-2 and will now face top seed Iga Swiatek in the second round. Donna Vekic also avenged last year’s final loss, defeating defending champion Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-3.
First Piper 