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World No.4 Naomi Osaka has won through to the Brisbane International quarter-finals with a three set win over American Sofia Kenin.

The early signs are good for Naomi Osaka's Australian Open defence after the world No.4 dug deep to win through to the Brisbane International quarter-finals.

The world No.4 proved too good for American Sofia Kenin, coming back to win 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-1 at Pat Rafter Arena in a second round match lasting almost two and a half hours.

The third seed will next play the winner of Thursday night's clash between world No.9 Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands and Estonia's Anett Kontaveit.

Dual grand slam winner Osaka was the overwhelming favourite before lining up against world No.14 Kenin, on Brisbane debut.

However the former world No.1 didn't have it all her own way, forced into a first set tiebreaker in which Kenin rattled off six straight points to win 7-3.

But Japanese star found another gear to rattle off the next two sets in just over an hour to take her head to head record against the American to 2-1.

Kenin may not have the same profile as the popular Osaka but the American loomed as a dangerous opponent after claiming more hardcourt match wins (38) than any other player on tour in 2019.

In the end Osaka's power game proved too much for Kenin, thrashing 18 aces to the American's three.