Naomi Osaka showed her prowess on the clay court as she comfortably defeated 45th-ranked Clara Burel at the Italian Open. This victory marked Osaka’s first win over a top-50 player on clay since the 2019 French Open. The Japanese star expressed pride in her ability to maintain mental focus, especially after dropping her serve while serving for the first set at 5-3.
Osaka, a former world No. 1 now ranked 173rd after a maternity break, showcased her skills by serving eight aces and producing 27 winners in the match. This tournament also marks her return to Rome since 2019, where she reached the quarterfinals. She will now face 19th-seeded Marta Kostyuk in the upcoming match, who recently reached the final of a clay event in Stuttgart, Germany.
Other Notable Results
Aside from Osaka’s victory, other players also made their mark at the Italian Open. Qualifier Bernarda Pera defeated fellow American Caroline Dolehide, while Magda Linette triumphed over Zhu Lin. Brenda Fruhvirtova, Lesia Tsurenko, and Bernarda Pera also secured wins in their respective matches. In the men’s action, Argentine-born Italian Luciano Darderi delighted the crowd with a victory over Denis Shapovalov. Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro also caused an upset by defeating Gael Monfils.
The Italian Open saw several matches being postponed due to rain, including the much-anticipated clash between Rafael Nadal and Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs. Unfortunately, second-ranked Jannik Sinner, third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, and former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini all withdrew from the tournament due to injuries. Additionally, Italian player Camila Giorgi announced her retirement from professional tennis. Rome serves as the final major warmup event before the French Open commences on May 26.
Naomi Osaka’s strong start at the Italian Open sets the stage for an exciting tournament filled with ups and downs for both players and fans alike. With top players returning to the courts and new talents making their mark, the competition promises to be fierce as players vie for glory and crucial ranking points before heading into the second Grand Slam of the year.
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