Naomi Osaka secured a hard-fought victory at the 2026 China Open in Beijing, overcoming Maria Timofeeva in three sets on Friday to advance to the third round. The match, which marked the first professional meeting between the two players, saw Osaka rally through a challenging second set before closing out the contest 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Osaka, seeded twelfth in the tournament, started strong by breaking Timofeeva’s serve in the opening set, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead and maintaining momentum to take the first set 6-3. However, the second set turned into a struggle as Timofeeva responded by winning five straight games after Osaka initially broke to lead 1-0, leveling the match at one set apiece.
A Mid-Match Scare in Beijing
Despite the setback, Osaka regained her composure in the decisive third set. She broke early and surged ahead 5-0, demonstrating sharp and controlled tennis. Even though Timofeeva managed a late break to narrow the gap, Osaka held firm to close out the set 6-3 and secure her progression in the tournament.
Following this win, Osaka is set to face Sara Bejlek in the third round, aiming to build on her strong fall season on the WTA tour. The four-time Grand Slam champion returns to Beijing with memories of her 2019 China Open triumph, seeking to reclaim the title she won seven years ago.