“Naomi Osaka being better on clay today than when she was World No. 1 is crazy” – Fans react to Japanese’s landmark victory in Italian Open 2R

“Naomi Osaka being better on clay today than when she was World No. 1 is crazy” – Fans react to Japanese’s landmark victory in Italian Open 2R


“Naomi Osaka being better on clay today than when she was World No. 1 is crazy” – Fans react to Japanese’s landmark victory in Italian Open 2R

Naomi Osaka registered a resounding victory over Marta Kostyuk in the second round of the ongoing Italian Open. The Japanese’s win captured the attention of tennis fans, particularly due to Osaka’s poor record against top 20 opponents on clay.

Osaka hugged the baseline for most of her match against Kostyuk. The former WTA World No. 1’s piercing shots proved too hot for the Ukrainian to handle. To make matters worse for herself, Kostyuk kept making unforced errors throughout the contest to gift free points to Osaka. Ultimately, the four-time Grand Slam champion won 6-3, 6-2.

The Japanese’s victory marked her first win on clay against a top-20 opponent. It also marked back-to-back wins for Osaka on clay, a feat she last achieved in 2019. The former World No. 1 had previously made short work of Clara Burel in the first round of this year’s Italian Open.