“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst.” Naomi Osaka expressed her feelings on social media, on Sunday, after clinching her first WTA title in four years. And that, too, on a surface she hasn’t traditionally excelled at. However, the four-time slam queen managed to pull of a stunning result in Saint-Malo. At the 125-level clay event, she beat Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan to emerge as the champion and get a much-needed momentum ahead of the French Open. Guess what? She will have another big chance to prepare in the best way possible ahead of the major in Paris. At the Italian Open this week, Osaka is set to step on the clay court, again, to continue her winning form. On Wednesday, she will kickstart her campaign against Italy’s Sara Errani.
Naomi Osaka v Sara Errani: Preview
Naomi Osaka’s 2025 season has been marred by injury woes and a poor form. At the beginning of the year, she managed to impress with a stellar run at the ASB Classic. The 27-year-old reached the summit clash but couldn’t lift the trophy. Her abdominal injury forced her to withdraw from the match against Clara Tauson. Then at the Australian Open, too, the abdominal strain surfaced in the third round. Osaka was forced to walk off the court against Belinda Bencic.
After coming back from a recovery phase, at the Indian Wells Masters, Osaka failed to make a deep run. Colombia’s Camila Osorio ousted her in R128. In Miami, she made it to the R16 but couldn’t go beyond after losing to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Coming to Madrid, she witnessed yet another first round exit after Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti beat her 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. However, the four-time slam champion finally regained her lost form at the WTA 125 Saint-Malo last week. Emerging as the title winner, she beat Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan with a score line of 6-1, 7-5. It was her first event victory – and maiden clay court title win – in four years since clinching the Australian Open in February 2021.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the first round on Day 2 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Speaking of her opponent, Italy’s Sara Errani has failed to impress at all this season. In fact, she’s hardly managed to even qualify for most of the crucial WTA tournaments. Back in January, she couldn’t get a ticket to Australia after losing both her qualifying matches against Russia’s Korneeva, followed by Czechia’s Brenda Fruhvirtová. Same was the case with the Qatar Open as she failed to win a qualifying battle against Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova.
In Indian Wells and Miami Open, too, Errani wasn’t able to get a ticket to main draws. However, she finally got a chance to compete professionally, in Stuttgart. The Italian managed to reach the R32 but couldn’t go beyond. Poland’s Magdalena Fręch ousted her with a score line of 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5). Once again, she failed to qualify as her hopes to play at the Madrid Open broke after losing to Australia’s Maya Joint.
Osaka v Errani: Head-to-Head
Both players have met twice across WTA events in their careers. Currently, Osaka leads the h2h tally 2-0 against Errani. When they faced each other the last time, it was during 2024’s Indian Wells. Back then, Osaka emerged victorious in the R128.
2024 Indian Wells Masters R128: Osaka 6-3, 6-1
2016 Miami Open R64: Osaka 6-1, 6-3
Prediction: Naomi Osaka to win in straight sets
Naomi Osaka is leading by miles when it comes to singles stats this season compared to Sara Errani. With a win percentage of 73.68, the Japanese star has won 14 of her 19 matches. On the other hand, the Italian WTA pro hasn’t won a single professional match (0-1) due to almost no appearance in a WTA event in 2025 so far (qualifying matches not included).
Now coming onto their event history, Osaka’s best run at the Italian Open came during the 2019 edition. She was able to reach the QF round before losing to the Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens. In her last two appearances (2021 and 2024), she has failed to make deep runs. Osaka couldn’t go beyond R32 and R16. Speaking of Errani, she’s had a long experience in Rome. Back in 2014, she earned her best campaign here while entering the summit clash. Sadly, she couldn’t lift the trophy after losing to 23-time slam queen Serena Williams. In recent years, however, she’s hardly left a mark in this event. During her last three appearances (2019, 2023, and 2024) she failed to go past R64, R128, and R64.
But what about their playing styles? Well, Osaka is known for her power and aggression which she showcases using an effective forehand and solid serve. Combine that up with a two-handed backhand and amazing athleticism on the court. She also prefers to get points during long rallies by building pressure on the opponents. On the other hand, Errani is known for her strong and gritty approach using powerful groundstrokes. Not to mention her swift movement between the baseline and the net.
Considering the h2h stats and overall form this season, the four-time slam champion appears to be the favorite. Naomi Osaka is expected to win her Italian Open first round in straight sets against Errani on Wednesday.
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