Barty and Osaka remain on track for last-16 showdown in Melbourne

Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka continued their progress towards a probable meeting in the last 16 at the Australian Open with secondround victories.

Ever since the draw was made, a date between the world number one and defending champion has been inked in for Sunday, and both have avoided drama so far.

Osaka briefly looked in a spot of bother against American

Madison Brengle when she trailed by a break in the second set but she recomposed herself immediately to come through 6-0 6-4.

Among those watching on TV was Andy Murray, who Tweeted: “Anyone hit the ball cleaner from the baseline than @naomiosaka?”

Osaka replied commending Murray’s fighting spirit, and she said after the match: “It’s a little bit shocking, because, when you’re playing, you never really think about the TV is broadcasting it and other people are watching.

“So definitely really surreal. I hit with him once like three years ago and it was a memory that’s really dear to me. It was really cool just to have someone like him talking about my game.”

Barty has dropped only three games in four sets, following up a 6-0 6-1 victory over Lesia Tsurenko by seeing off qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1 6-1 in just 52 minutes.

The Australian hero, who is a member of the Ngaragu people through her greatgrandmother, was particularly proud to take to the court during the tournament’s inaugural First Nations Day.

Barty said: “It was really cool. It was nice for me to be a part of it in a way that I feel most comfortable I suppose. Out on the tennis court is how I express myself as an athlete, it’s how I’m able to express myself as a person as well.

“On a day we’re bringing cultures together, bringing people together, it was really nice for me to go out and enjoy that.

“I just met a few of the kids that have come down from Alice Springs and all around Australia, which is amazing for them to come and experience the Australian Open on a really special day for our culture and our heritage.”

Barty will expect to face a tougher test next against big-hitting Italian Camila Giorgi while Osaka could find life very tricky against 20-year-old American Amanda Anisimova, who has hit top form again in Australia.