Paula Badosa-Naomi Osaka. A confrontation worthy of a final of, for example, a WTA 1,000 like Rome’s It will be lived Tomorrow Wednesday (11:00, Tennis Channel) In the second round of the tournament. He first Party on Spaniard Landnumber 10 of the world and 27 years, after giving up Madrid for their repeated back problems that also made him miss Indian Wells and endure only two games in Miamiit will be in front of a Quadruple Grand Slam winner (Australia 2019 and 2021 and US Open 2018 and 2020).
Osaka, also 27 years and former world number oneOr, now travel through the 48th position of the ranking. After confessing mental health problems and stopping to be a mother, the Japanese returned in 2024 and tries to approach to be who she was next to Patrick mouratoglouthe last coach of Serena Williams. To the woman who ignited the Pebetero of the Tokyo games, Destined to be heiress of the American, the lights were extinguished, however.
Now, without a pressure that has bounts to get into the fight for a great title, Osaka has not hesitated to lower a step to climb another. Last week he was proclaimed Saint-Malo WTA 125 champion, similar category to ATP Challengerthe first title that raised since 2021 … then he did it in Melbourne. And he went down with, as he recognized, the Andre Agassi inspirationwho did the same when he returned at the end of the nineties. “I remember reading the book (De Agassi) and that part came to mind”he explained. “I can play on track 16 if necessary, because The reason I returned was not to always be in the plants, but because I really enjoy the game ”the Japanese warned after defeating in the first round of Rome to Sara Errani 6-2 and 6-3 With 40 winning blows.
It arrives, therefore, Osaka against Badosa, another player who knows of reinventions after episodes of anxiety and injuries. Her good 2024 final and this year’s semifinal in Australia returned her among the best. It is missing that his physique of truce.
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