Naomi Osaka Notches Impressive Clay Court Victory at Italian Open
In a significant milestone, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka recorded her first career victory over a top-20 player on clay courts. The Japanese star defeated 20th-ranked Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-2 at the Italian Open on Thursday, thriving in the heavy, slow conditions.
Osaka’s triumph was made all the more impressive by the match’s interruption due to rain, which suspended play for nearly an hour. Undeterred, the 25-year-old returned to the court and capitalized on a crucial break point to seal the victory.
“I came out with a lot of intentions, and I think I executed them,” Osaka said. “I’m really happy.”
The win followed another straight-set triumph a day earlier, as Osaka continues to make strides on the clay surface, a surface she has historically struggled with. Formerly the world No. 1, Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles on hard courts but has always found the transition to clay challenging.
“I’m just really excited to learn more about clay-court (tennis) and develop and go to Paris,” Osaka said, with the French Open just three weeks away. “Shai (her daughter) is coming to Paris, so that’s something that’s keeping me very happy.”
Osaka’s latest victory marks an important step in her return to the tour following a maternity leave that resulted in her missing the entire 2023 season. The two-time French Open champion revealed past struggles with depression and anxiety, leading her to take extended breaks to protect her mental health.
“I don’t know why, but today I just woke up very peaceful,” Osaka said. “I just feel like, no matter what happens on the court, nothing will change for me off the court. Like, my daughter will still love me. I have so many people around me.”
Osaka will next face 11th-ranked Daria Kasatkina, the highest-ranked opponent she has faced this year. “She has way more experience than me on clay,” Osaka acknowledged, “but I’m just extremely humble. I want to learn from the match I played today and hopefully apply that.”
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