Naomi Osaka’s Clay Court Surge: From WTA 125 to Rome Quarter-finals
Rome, Italy — Naomi Osaka is enjoying a clay-court resurgence, extending her winning streak to six matches with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over wild card Sara Errani at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Tuesday. The former World No. 1 crushed 40 winners en route to the quarter-finals, where she will face No. 9 seed Paula Badosa.
From Réunion to Rome
Just a week ago, Osaka was competing in a WTA 125 tournament in Saint-Malo, France. The four-time Grand Slam champion made headlines by playing in a lower-tier event for the first time in a decade. Her decision paid off, as she won the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo, capturing her first-ever clay-court title at any level.
Agassi’s comeback inspired Osaka
Osaka revealed that Andre Agassi’s memoir, “Open,” inspired her decision to play in Saint-Malo. She found parallels between Agassi’s experience in lower-tier events during his comeback in the late 1990s and her current situation.
“I remember reading his book. There was a moment where he was flipping his own scoreboards. Someone came and yelled, ‘Image is everything!’ That section of the book crossed my mind more.”
A tough stretch in Saint-Malo, a sweet reward
Osaka’s victory in Saint-Malo wasn’t easy. Trailing 4-1 in the final set against Diane Parry in the second round, Osaka fought back to win the last five games and secure the match. She admits she was “stressed out” during that match, but her determination proved indispensable.
“I was thinking I wonder if the time would have been spent better after Madrid going to see my daughter, but luckily I was able to snap out of it,” Osaka said.
She also enjoyed a delicious treat after her victory – her first-ever crêpe, recommended by her coach Patrick Mouratoglou. “It was the best crêpe of my life,” she enthused.
WTA 125 events: A growing trend for top players
Osaka isn’t the only top player turning to WTA 125 and ATP Challenger events. Last year, Sofia Kenin and Bianca Andreescu also played WTA 125 tournaments before making deep runs at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. In January, 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic set an ATP record for the longest gap between Challenger titles.
Where to next for Osaka?
With her clay-court form improving, Osaka will be a threat at the French Open. But for now, the focus is on her quarter-final clash with Badosa in Rome.
FAQs
Why did Naomi Osaka play a WTA 125 event?
Osaka wanted to gain more experience on clay and felt playing in a lower-tier event would help her improve.
Who will Osaka face next in Rome?
Naomi Osaka will face No. 9 seed Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals.
Did you know? Osaka has now won six consecutive matches on clay, her best winning streak on this surface.
Pro tip: Follow Osaka’s lead and embrace playing lower-tier events to improve your skills and build momentum.
Stay tuned to 247Sports.News for more updates on Osaka’s clay-court campaign and other exciting news from the world of tennis!
Share your thoughts: What do you make of Osaka’s decision to play in a WTA 125 event, and how has it helped her clay-court game? Leave a comment below!