By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, Could 10, 2026
Picture credit score: BNP Paribas Open Fb
Even after a commanding win, Naomi Osaka noticed clay cruelty.
The Fifteenth-seeded Osaka dismissed Diana Schnaider 6-1, 6-2, to roll into the Rome spherical of 16 for the second straight yr.
The excellent news for Osaka: she delivered a dominant clay-court efficiency profitable 24 of 39 factors performed on Schnaider’s serve and breaking serve 5 occasions to energy into her third WTA 1000 spherical of 16 after Indian Wells and Madrid.
The unhealthy information: Osaka will face three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek subsequent, after Swiatek dismantled Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-0
That potential rematch prompted comedian response from Osaka, who misplaced to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, 7-6(1), 3-6, 2-6 in Madrid.
“Life is a bit merciless. Rattling. Sabalenka, now Iga,” Osaka stated with a smile. “I don’t know. I feel clearly for me that’s the place I present up. I feel regardless that it hasn’t been in my favor the final couple of occasions, for me these matches are probably the most enjoyable.
“I’m excited on the thought. I don’t know, it simply makes me smile.”
At Roland-Garros in 2024, Osaka held a match level earlier than Swiatek rallied for a 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 victory in a rematch of the 2022 Miami Open remaining, which the Pole gained.
Osaka, who has but to surpass the Roland Garros third spherical in eight profession appearances in Paris, was beforehand coached by Wim Fissette, who went on to educate Swiatek to the Wimbledon championship.
Working with present coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, who beforehand coached Swiatek to main titles, Osaka stated she’s specializing in taking part in with affected person aggression on dust.
“Actually I feel now with Tomasz, we’re not attempting to alter an excessive amount of,” Osaka stated. “Clearly make good selections. I don’t actually know what my recreation is on onerous courtroom in comparison with right here that a lot otherwise.
“I really feel the factors are longer right here. Total everybody’s simply attempting…Effectively, I’m simply attempting to be aggressive however good.”
