Can Osaka build further momentum following her recent win?
Naomi Osaka is back to winning ways after a title drought that lasted for 4 long years. Much has changed between then and now for the 27-year-old Japanese star, but her recent win has brought back some memories of what it was like just a few years ago. Osaka earned a 6-1, 7-5 straight sets victory over Kaja Juvan at the L’Open 35 de Saint Malo tournament.
Held on clay, this was her first-ever title on this surface, surprising Osaka herself as she felt it was her worst surface to play on. While the win at the WTA 125 event against an opponent ranked 515th in the world isn’t something to read too much into, Osaka will still take heart from the fact that she was able to string together quite a few good matches on her least favored surface en route to winning the title.
Following the win, Osaka expressed how surprised she was to win her first title on clay and how there is always room to grow and evolve in life. She also took the opportunity to thank all those accompanying her on her journey and staying by her side through the ups and downs.
“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy back on the surface that I thought was my worst. That’s one of my favorite things about life though, there’s always room to grow and evolve. Thanks to everyone accompanying me on this journey, I know it’s turbulent but it’s also really fun and I’m grateful”
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Well, for the most part, it is too early to read anything into this win at the L’Open 35 de Saint Malo, as it is far off from where the stiffest competition on tour lies. Since the beginning of the year, Osaka has still had a tough time on tour when it comes to the top-level tournaments such as the Australian Open or the other WTA 1000 tournaments.
With no disrespect, the competition she faced this week was anything but high quality as she took on Petra Marcinko in her first round, Diane Parry in her second round, followed by Elsa Jacquemot in the quarters, and Leolia Jeanjean in the semis, before facing Juvan in the finals. All opponents are outside the top 100.
Having said that, Osaka’s victory in the French City of Saint Malo now means she makes a return inside the top 50 as she has reached the 48th spot in the latest rankings. It will be interesting to see whether this new level of confidence can help her get back to the top where she once belonged.
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