The 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Karolina Muchova allowed Osaka to reach the third round at a major tournament for the first time since the 2022 season.

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.

Down 5-0 in the first set, the former No. 1 player beats Karolina Muchova in three sets to make a Grand Slam third round for the first time in three years

Naomi Osaka exited the Australian Open the same way she bowed out of her previous two events -- retiring midmatch due to injury. The 27-year-old Japanese star pulled out of her third-round match against Switzerland's Belinda Bencic after losing the first set 7-6 (3) on Friday in Melbourne, Australia.

Naomi Osaka is back in the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2022 and she got there with wins at the Australian Open over two women who blocked her path last year

Former Australian Open champ Naomi Osaka is into the third round at a major for the first time since 2022 -- is she hitting her comeback stride?

At her peak, the four-time Grand Slam champion played her best tennis in the toughest moments. In Melbourne, she did it again.

Naomi Osaka seized victory on Wednesday, defeating No. 20 Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3. Initially it looked like Osaka might be on her way to a quick ouster after she won just one game in the 32-minute first set.

Naomi Osaka defeated No. 20 Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the third round of a major for the first time since the 2022 Australian Open.