Two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka extended a few impressive streaks on Friday while becoming one of the first players to advance to the fourth round of the year's opening Grand Slam tournament.

A four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka returned from maternity leave last year and lost in the first or second round of all four major tournaments. The 27-year-old Japan native has not won any event on the WTA Tour since capturing her second Australian Open title to start 2021.

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka can set up a blockbuster clash as the Australian Open enters the third round on Friday while Novak Djokovic steps up his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Since returning to action a year ago, Osaka has shown signs of getting her game back together, including a memorable and narrow loss to then-No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the French Open.

Fourteen seeded players, including last year’s finalists Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen, take center stage as the top half of the draw battles for a spot in the third round.

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has stopped playing because of an injury after dropping the opening set of her third-round match against Belinda Bencic

After losing the first set 7-6 (3), two-time Australian Open champ Naomi Osaka retired from her third-round match against Belinda Bencic due to injury.

Third round action at the Australian Open sees two-time AO champion Naomi Osaka looking to post her best result at a Grand Slam since 2021, while Jessica Pegula continues her question to reach another Grand Slam title.

Naomi Osaka came from a set down to beat Karolina Muchova and reach the third round of the Australian Open - and she admits she was desperate for revenge