Osaka, Kvitova, Kenin among winners on Day 3 at the Australian Open

Defending champion Naomi Osaka continued her title defense in Melbourne, dispatching Saisai Zheng of China 6-2 6-4. Their second round encounter was the first match up on Margaret Court Arena, which was filled to capacity.

The Japanese superstar took the first set with little resistance from her opponent. Zheng made a spirited attempt at a comeback in the second set, breaking the World number 4 to lead 4-2. However, Osaka displayed the grit and emotion that has enamored her to millions of fans, winning the next 4 games and taking the match in an hour and 20 minutes.

She now awaits the winner of the match between Sorana Cirstea and American teenager Coco Gauff. A third round clash between Osaka and Gauff would be a rematch from their 2019 US Open encounter, in which Osaka emerged victorious.

Someone who would be eager for a rematch is Petra Kvitová, the 2019 runner-up defeated Spain's Paula Badosa 7-5 7-5 in an hour and 38 minutes.

After struggling to take the first set, Kvitová faced three set points on serve at 4-5 in the second. The Czech employed some exceptional ball-striking to level the score, before reeling off the final two games to win the match.

Upcoming American Sofia Kenin made quick work of compatriot Ann Li, overpowering her 6-1 6-3 in just under an hour. Kenin is fast becoming a dangerous player on the tour, hitting twice as many winners as Li in her ultra efficient win.

Aryna Sabalenka became one of the first seeded victims on Day 3, falling to veteran Carlos Suarez-Navarro 6-7(6) 6-7(6) in a two hour slugfest.

The Spaniard has announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2020 season and played freely, frustrating the big-hitting Belarusian. Sabalenka hit 58 unforced errors, as her more experienced opponent kept making her hit one extra ball.

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