For the first time at this year’s French Open, the women are getting night-session treatment on Court Philippe Chatrier.
It is well-deserved, too, because Aryna Sabalenka vs. Naomi Osaka is — on paper — the biggest match of the tournament to date. And it’s certainly bigger than anything the upset-filled top half of the men’s draw brings to the table on Monday.
Sabalenka and Osaka will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers, with the current world No. 1 leading the head-to-head series 2-1. She lost to Osaka 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 at the 2018 U.S. Open before prevailing twice this season — 6-2, 6-4 in Indian Wells and 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 a little more than a month ago in Madrid.
Similar to their clash at the Caja Magica, this Roland Garros showdown should be a good one. Osaka is a big underdog, but she is playing well. The 28-year-old from Japan is 7-2 on clay this spring with losses only to Sabalenka (Madrid) and Iga Swiatek (Rome). She has dropped just one set so far this fortnight and is coming off a very good win over rising American star Iva Jovic.
As a four-time Grand Slam champion (the same as Sabalenka), Osaka can never be counted out on the big stage. Still, Sabalenka is 13-0 in her last 13 fourth-round matches at majors. Look for the top seed to advance, but not without a fight.
Pick: Sabalenka in 3
WWW?
Saba in three, of course
Agree Osaka can still play great tennis, but since becoming a mum she hasn’t reached the same heights that won her 4 GS
And only on hard court
If Osaka can paint the lines with Jeeves style forehands she has a good chance
You have to think the winner of this match will be in the final given the quality of opposition left on this side. Maddie playing dreadful to lose to Shnaider. Potopova playing dreadful to lose to Kalinskaya. Parry currently losing to someone ranked 120 or something.
None of these players are going to beat Saba!
There are 3 players who came in on form on the other side: Svito, Andreeva and Kostyuk plus Sorana playing really well. This side of the draw is a joke.
I really HOPE that Osaka has her A game, but even if she does, Im still picking Alenka in 2
Saba is winning. Really big difference is serve. Osaka serving so many second serves and Saba very few.
Well that was one sided! Impossible not to see Saba in the final now. Must be easiest qf and sf at a major ever for her…
All the battles are on the other side…