The vibes are all positive as Naomi Osaka reconsiders her relationship with grass courts this Wimbledon. With a 6-3, 6-2 win over Katerina Siniakova on Wednesday, the former world No.1 equalled her best performance at SW19 by reaching the third round for a third time, and for the first time since 2018.

“I realised, like, when I was younger, I had no fear [of grass],” said Osaka, who is arguably better known for her hard court prowess, given she has twice lifted the champion’s trophy at both the US and Australian Opens.

 “I think when you are young, you fear nothing, and that's one of the really cool things about it. But I don't know, with age, fear kind of crept along and, I guess, paralysed me in a way. 

“Now I'm kind of just getting over that and trying to spread my wings on grass. I think it is working, and I think I am moving pretty well.”

Certainly, that appeared to be the case as a composed Osaka dispatched Siniakova – who stunned No.5 seed Qinwen Zheng on Tuesday – in an hour and 17 minutes to set a meeting with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. 

SOUTH AMERICAN SIZZLER

"Ole, ole, ole, ole, Ni-co, Niiii-co" rang out around Court 15 as a rejuvenated Nicolas Jarry (main picture) continued to build momentum on the grass. Last May, the 29-year-old rose to a career-high world No.16, but has since fallen to No.143.

After taking all seven sets in Qualifying, then eliminating No.8 seed Holger Rune from two sets down, Jarry stormed past Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday, prompting his ardent fans into several renditions of 'Chi, Chi, Chi, Le, Le, Le' chants.

Selfies, autographs and high fives later, this was a popular victory and the Chilean walked off court with his son in his arms, who had sprinted around the court's perimeter to meet his victorious father.

Get ready for a South American sizzler as Jarry - who also reached the third round at Wimbledon 2023 - will meet Brazilian wonderkid Joao Fonseca in the Last 32.

Fonseca, who spoke to wimbledon.com about how footage of Roger Federer on the pristine lawns of The All England Club continues to inspire his development, dismissed the talented American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. 

Fonseca, the youngest player to start in the gentlemen’s draw, becomes the youngest player to reach the Wimbledon third round since Bernard Tomic in 2011.

“I know Chile fans, they're loud also, the Brazilians are loud. It’s going to be nice,” said the respectful teenager, who is determined to “enjoy [and] play [his] best tennis”.

Chile versus Brazil, here we go!

RUBLEV ROLLS ON

On the face of it, Andrey Rublev could afford to be confident entering a second round with Lloyd Harris. The 14th seed had beaten Harris, a world No.320 from South Africa, in all three of their previous matches – one of them at Wimbledon in 2021, and most recently in the second round at Roland-Garros.

But it was a relieved Rublev who edged past Harris in four sets on the No.3 Court. “Now everybody knows how to hit the ball. Everybody can be dangerous. Everybody knows how to serve over 200 something. Now it's more about who is more stable, more focused, who is more ready,” said the 27-year-old, who fell to Francisco Comesana in the first round at Wimbledon last year.

“It's different. Before it was more [of a] gap. Even three years ago when I played Lloyd in Wimbledon second round, was like, ‘OK, inside the feeling was if I would just put focus, no chance for me to lose’. Today was the feeling, even if I put focus and everything, it's going to be really tough to beat him.”

Rublev is now preparing to face qualifier Adrian Mannarino in the third round. The 37-year-old Frenchman advanced with a 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(1) victory over fellow French qualifier Valentin Royer.

SMOOTH PROGRESS

Wimbledon is a happy place for two-time semi-finalist Elina Svitolina – and at this Wimbledon, both as a competitor and a spectator.

After watching her husband, Gael Monfils, upset No.18 seed Ugo Humbert in five sets on  Tuesday, the No.14 ladies’ seed returned on Wednesday and claimed a straight sets win over qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich. 

Other ladies’ seeds to book their place in the third round included No.13 Amanda Anisimova, No.24 Elise Mertens and No.30 Linda Noskova. 

But No.22 seed Donna Vekic, who featured in the longest ladies’ semi-final in Wimbledon history last year, had an abbreviated stay this time around, with Cristina Bucsa claiming a 6-1, 6-3 victory.

Frenchwoman Diane Parry was another upset winner, eliminating No.12 Diana Shnaider, while No.21 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia exited to Hungarian Dalma Galfi. 

MOVING ON

Karen Khachanov required all his experience to navigate 2019 Wimbledon boys’ champion Shintaro Mochizuki, with the No.17 seed eking out a 1-6, 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Brandon Nakashima, the No.29 seed, edged out Yunchaokete Bu in four sets.

Mattia Bellucci ended No.23 seed Jiri Lehecka’s hopes of adding to his grass court form as a Queen’s Club finalist, with the world No.72 Italian advancing in straight sets.

Jordan Thompson, meanwhile, claimed a second consecutive marathon; following his five set win over Vit Kopriva on Monday, the Australian outclassed Benjamin Bonzi 7-5, 6-7(2), 4-6, 6-2, 6-4