First meeting between the two stars.
In a contest between two of the fiercest strikers of the tennis ball, former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka battles 9th seed Paula Badosa in the 2025 Italian Open Round of 64. Thursday’s prime-time clash will see a packed Grand Stand Arena as the two women fight it out to determine who enters Round-3. While Badosa received a bye in Round-1, Osaka overcame veteran Sara Errani 6-2 6-3 on Wednesday.
The fact that clay is possibly Naomi Osaka’s least suited surface will certainly be playing on Badosa’s mind. However, the Japanese phenom produced one of the best performances seen in recent times against Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros 2024. Osaka had a match point, before the Polish sensation upped the ante. The four-time Grand Slam champion won her first clay court title last week in Saint-Malo, France – she beat the likes of Diane Parry and Kaja Juvan along the way.
Paula Badosa is an all-surface player, and will be looking for some game time more than anything. In her last four officially entered tournaments, the 27-year-old Spanish starlet retired midway in Merida before withdrawing from Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid. Badosa’s season-best result includes reaching the Australian Open semifinal, where she lost to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
0-0 is the head to head record between Paula Badosa and Naomi Osaka. They are yet to face one another on the professional circuit. Considering their similar approaches to tennis but varied styles and tactics towards match situations, Thursday’s Round of 64 clash promises to be a sight for sore eyes.
| Naomi Osaka | Category | Paula Badosa |
| 4 | Grand Slams | 0 |
| 7 | WTA Singles Titles | 4 |
| 0 | WTA Doubles Titles | 0 |
| 2 | WTA-1000 Titles | 1 |
| R3 (Tokyo 2020) | Olympics Best Performance | QF (Tokyo 2020) |
| No. 48 | Current World Ranking | No. 10 |
While we know what Paula Badosa brings to the table, a lot will depend on which version of Naomi Osaka we get to see. It is of key importance to note that this will be her seventh match in the span of ten days – fatigue could also play a part. Provided both players are 100% fit and manage to put their best foot forward, it will be nothing short of a slugfest.
Prediction: Paula Badosa in three sets.
Naomi Osaka Win: -200
Paula Badosa Win: +155
