World number one Naomi Osaka survived another major scare to reach the third round of the French Open.
The 21-year-old, who is chasing a third consecutive grand slam title, lost the first set 6-0 against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova on Tuesday and was two points from defeat.
Things did not get quite so hairy against former world number one Victoria Azarenka in a high-quality match but the top seed was a set and a break down before recovering to win 4-6 7-5 6-3.
Osaka, who said she had never been more nervous during a match than against Schmiedlova, again made a poor start, with Azarenka winning the first four games.
Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka has been getting closer to her best form having finally returned full-time to the tour last spring following a bruising custody battle over her toddler son.
She weathered an Osaka fightback to take the opening set, the pair trading ferocious ground strokes, and then opened up a 4-2 lead in the second.
Comeback complete.@Naomi_Osaka_ secures a place in the third round 4-6 7-5 6-3 over Azarenka.#RG19 pic.twitter.com/gjOUsw7qId — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2019
But Osaka has established a reputation as one of the toughest players mentally and she dug her way back into the match before racing out to a 5-1 lead in the decider.
Azarenka put up more resistance at the end but ultimately Osaka was just too strong.
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