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Not finished yet, Maddison Inglis is ready to ‘lock in’ and take down head-turning tennis titan Naomi Osaka to continue her magical Australian Open run.
One of six local women to make the second round in Australia’s best start to an Open since 1992, Inglis is suddenly the last female home hope standing at Melbourne Park.
But even with a two-time champion standing in her path on Saturday, the 28-year-old qualifier is dreaming big in pursuit of a first-time charge to a grand slam second week.
‘I really want to enjoy these moments. I will enjoy it with my family but the job’s not done yet. I’ll lock back in on Saturday. I’m really excited for it,’ Inglis said after claiming her fifth epic Open win in 10 days.
One of two qualifiers to reach the last 32, Inglis has spent 13 hours and 24 gruelling minutes over 14 sets to advance to the third round for a second time.
Her workload has been far and away the biggest of those remaining in the women’s draw.
Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis has stormed into the third round of the Australian Open
The Aussie had an emotional victory over Laura Siegemund of Germany in the second round
‘Yeah, it is hard because these matches, they’re really taxing. I am feeling a bit tired right now,’ the Perth talent said.
Yet Inglis still found the energy to play mixed doubles with her fiance Jason Kubler on Friday before promising to ‘recover and have a bit of a chill day’.
Even before Osaka’s startling fashion statements, the Japanese superstar’s magnetic appeal guaranteed her showdown with Inglis will be a show-court one on Rod Laver Arena.
The Aussie underdog can’t wait.
‘I was lucky to play there once a few years ago in the third round. Also the year before that against (Sofia) Kenin,’ Inglis said.
‘I’ve had some experience out there, which will really help me.
‘It’s one of the biggest courts in tennis. It will be pretty crazy to go out there and play, but also so exciting. So that will be awesome.
‘I know it will be a tough match. But yeah, right now I’m going to soak it all in. You’re not in the third round of a grand slam every day.’
Inglis faces a huge challenge against Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in round three
Osaka had to work hard to get past Sorana Cirstea in round two in a match that plenty of spice
Osaka needed a medical time-out early in the third set of her spicy second-round win over Sorana Cirstea, after which the retiring Romanian accused the former world No.1 of being unsporting in the 6-3 4-6 6-2 win.
Osaka, though, refused to shed any light on the nature of her injury, which appeared to be a shoulder issue.
‘It’s kind of a recurring thing,’ said this year’s 16th seed.
‘I guess if you look at my medical history, you can maybe do like a little guessing game.
‘For me, I’m just really glad that I pushed through it and also played really good tennis in the third set.’
Win or lose, Inglis is guaranteed a minimum career pay day of $327,750 for her breakout run, or $480,000 if she springs a boilover and sets up a last-16 clash on Monday with world No.2 Iga Swiatek or 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya.
But having all the money in the world would not prompt Inglis from trying to compete with Osaka in the fashion stakes after the four-time major winner launched her campaign in a couture outfit inspired by a jellyfish and topped off with a wide-brimmed hat with a gauzy veil and train.
‘Definitely not,’ Inglis said. ‘I’ll just be wearing the same thing (as normal).’
