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Top-ranked Naomi Osaka was on the verge of crashing out of the first round at Roland Garros, but found a way to stay alive for a 0-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova Tuesday evening in Paris.

"I think this is the most nervous I have ever been my entire life during a match. I think you could see that in the first set. I was literally not hitting any balls in the court," Osaka said. "Today was weird because usually the nerves go away, but it kind of stayed the entire match. Then I just felt like it was a fight of willpower."

On three occasions, Osaka was two points away from defeat when Schmiedlova served for the match a second time up 6-5 in the second set. Twice at deuce, Osaka stepped up to finish points with winners; in the final case, Schmiedlova double faulted to end any hopes of reaching match point.

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Osaka, the winner of the past two Grand Slam titles, increased her major win streak to 15 matches. Throughout the unbeaten run, the Japanese star is 6-0 in three-set encounters, rallying from a set down in half of those matches.

The No. 1 seed will battle Victoria Azarenka for a spot in the third round. Azarenka knocked out 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 7-6 (4). Osaka won their most recent meeting in Rome a year ago, routing the Belarusian 6-0, 6-3 to claim the first-round clash.

"She's been playing really well recently and there is no way that it's going to be a similar match to the one I played with her in Rome last year," said Osaka. "So I'm expecting one of the hardest matches of the year."

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'The most nervous she's ever been': Naomi Osaka avoids Paris upset bid

'The most nervous she's ever been': Naomi Osaka avoids Paris upset bid