Naomi Osaka will attempt to secure her third consecutive victory on clay against Daria Kasatkina at the 2024 Italian Open in Rome.
Osaka has registered two consecutive wins on clay for the first time in years. Both triumphs occurred at the Italian Open, where she displayed a smooth swinging rhythm and dominated her opponents from the baseline.
Kasatkina poses a challenging test as her next opponent for the former world no. 1. The Russian excels on clay surfaces and possesses excellent court command, able to handle opponents’ power effectively.
While she may not possess significant power herself, her ingenuity can pose problems for her opponents.
Head-to-head:
Osaka and Kasatkina have previously met once, at the 2018 Indian Wells event, where Osaka emerged victorious. With limited recent matches due to Osaka’s reduced activity, predicting this matchup becomes more complex.
Osaka has evolved from her previous form while Kasatkina has shown improvement, boasting a 19-10 record this year.
The upcoming match promises intrigue with Kasatkina’s proficiency on clay, providing a true test for Osaka’s ability to contend with top players on this surface.
| Naomi Osaka | Daria Kasatkina | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | H2H | 0 |
| 173 | Rank | 11 |
| 26 | Age | 27 |
| 11-8 | 2024 W/L | 19-10 |
| 276-156 | Career W/L | 363-204 |
Prediction:
This match promises excitement as Osaka seeks ways to overcome Kasatkina. Success will hinge on Osaka’s ball-striking ability to penetrate Kasatkina’s defenses.
Expect a battle where slicing to victory is not on the cards for Osaka. Kasatkina’s strategy will involve returning many balls and adapting to Osaka’s tactics on the court.
Prediction: Naomi Osaka to win in three sets.
