It was pedal to the metal, Osaka says after downing Azarenka

May 30, 2019; Paris, France: Naomi Osaka (JPN) celebrates recording match point during her match against Victoria Azarenka (BLR) on day five of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

PARIS (Reuters) - Top seed Naomi Osaka admitted being a nervous wreck as she narrowly avoided a meek first-round exit at the French Open this week but said she was at full throttle as she outslugged former world number one Victoria Azarenka on Thursday.

After going toe-to-toe for almost three hours on Court Suzanne Lenglen, 21-year-old Osaka prevailed 4-6 7-5 6-3 after losing the opening four games of the second-round clash.