Former world number ones Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka both moved into the second round of the Bad Homburg Open on Monday, sharpening their games ahead of Wimbledon. Osaka edged Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic in a tight contest, winning 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4), while Azarenka cruised past German wildcard Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-2.

Osaka, who entered the main draw as a wildcard, fired 16 aces in the two-hour match, showing flashes of her past form as she builds momentum following her return from maternity leave. “It’s my first grass-court win of the year, so I’m really excited about that,” she said. “I think I have potential on grass, but everyone else is also really good.” The four-time Grand Slam champion will now face fifth seed Emma Navarro of the United States in the second round. The match marked the end of a three-match losing streak for Osaka, who fell early in Rome, Roland Garros, and Berlin earlier this season.

Danilovic, also strong on serve with 10 aces, pushed Osaka into two close tie-breaks. Osaka saved four break points in the match and rallied from 4-2 down in the first set tiebreak. In the second-set breaker, a successful challenge by Osaka overturned a Danilovic ace, helping swing momentum her way. A double fault by Danilovic and a final forehand winner sealed Osaka’s progress.

Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open winner, had to qualify for the main draw but looked sharp in her win over Siegemund. The 35-year-old Belarusian now faces a tough second-round clash with world number one Iga Swiatek.

Croatian Donna Vekic, last year’s runner-up at Bad Homburg, avenged her 2024 final loss by defeating sixth seed Diana Shnaider 6-3, 6-3. Vekic was flawless on serve, saving all four break points she faced. Her next opponent is Czech teenager Linda Noskova, who overcame Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-2. As Wimbledon looms, Bad Homburg offers a vital opportunity for top players like Osaka and Azarenka to find rhythm on grass and so far, both are rising to the challenge.