Naomi Osaka, of Japan, returns a shot from Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, during the second round at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Aug 24, 2020, in New York. (FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP)

WASHINGTON - Fourth seed Naomi Osaka of Japan earned a hard-fought victory in the second round of the Western & Southern Open on Monday, overcoming Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic at 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2.

Naomi Osaka will face Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine in the third round

"I think the difference between winning and losing was probably attitude," Osaka said after the match. "In the second set I felt more at peace with myself and I realized that there are certain balls that I need to go for. I feel like I just learned a lot throughout the entire course of the match."

ALSO READ: Osaka will play in US Open, says management team

Osaka fired 28 winners in the match, which included a whopping 12 aces, and the two-time Grand Slam champion claimed 81 percent of points when she got her first serve into play.

Muchova also had 23 winners on the day, but after taking the first set, the rising star was outlasted by Osaka down the stretch.

Osaka will face Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine in the third round.