Naomi Osaka explains what she does differently against top players after winning first match in Canada for five years

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It was clear to see Naomi Osaka enjoys playing against the best as she sailed into the next round of the Canadian Open.

The Japanese star claimed her first match win at the tournament since 2019 with an emphatic victory over Ons Jabeur.

Osaka has made no secret of her desire to return to hard courts as she took just one hour and 12 minutes to dispatch the three-time Grand Slam finalist on her return to the concrete.

The 27-year-old is still searching for her first title of the season but she has certainly made a strong start to her latest campaign.

What does Naomi Osaka do differently against the top players?

Playing the best players in the world certainly forces Naomi Osaka to raise her level. This is something she thrives on and it was evident at the French Open in May, when she came agonisingly close to ending Iga Swiatek’s winning run.

This was evident at her peak, as she won three of her four meetings against Serena Williams and both of their matches at Grand Slams.

Against Jabeur at the Canadian Open, Osaka showed what she is capable of as she blasted 14 winners and broke the Tunisian’s serve four times throughout their contest.

Thrilled to be back on her favourite surface, Osaka said post match: “Everyone knows I really love hard courts. I wasn’t thinking too much. It was very instinctual.

“Honestly, when I play the best players, like Ons, I tend to play better. I’m feeling quite confident in myself as a person and as a player, and I think that showed a little.”

Who will Naomi Osaka play next?

After taking down Jabeur, Osaka will play a familiar opponent in Elise Mertens, who she has beaten four of the six times they have played.

The Belgian looked impressive in a 6-3, 6-1 over America’s Katie Volynets in her opening round. Osaka and Mertens have already played twice this year.

Mertens ended Osaka’s campaign in Indian Wells by claiming a 7-5, 6-4 win in their third round encounter.

Following that match, they met at the same stage of the Libema Open in June, which Osaka claimed for the loss of just six games.