Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka of Japan resumed her dominance on Saturday, defeating 15th-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-2
7-6 (5) in the second round of the Miami Open in Miami Gardens, Florida.
After 15 months on maternity leave, Osaka returned to action at Brisbane International at the start of the year but was eliminated in the second round.
She then failed to go beyond the first round of the Australian Open and the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, but has subsequently caught fire.
Osaka advanced to the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open before reaching the third round of the BNP Paribas Open, where she continued to find her stride."Obviously,
I want to win tournaments, but I know I have to take it one step at a time," Osaka told reporters on Saturday. "Just win matches.
The more matches I win, the more at ease I'll be, and it may lead to putting something above my head one day.
Against Svitolina, Osaka saved three of four break opportunities and won 27 of 38 first-serve points. She also had five aces vs Svitolina's two.
Osaka will meet France's Caroline Garcia, the No. 23 seed. On Saturday, American Danielle Collins stunned 30th-seeded Russian Anastasia Potapova, winning 6-2, 6-2.