Naomi Osaka is quite familiar with the courts at the Miami Open, and she hopes that it will help her against a tricky player who will give her a fight.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto is not the type of player the former world no. 1 likes to play because the Italian fights like a bull and doesn't give away free points. Osaka will have to take points, but that comes naturally to her because she prefers to do that anyway.
She showed a very high level in Indian Wells, her highest yet, but unfortunately, she couldn't quite overcome a very inspired Elise Mertens. It should be enough for Cocciaretto, who has put together a really solid year so far, proving that she belongs at the top level.
Head-to-head:
Unsurprisingly, this will be the first time they face each other. Osaka has been away from the sport over the past season, which is when Cocciaretto really carved her way into the top of the WTA.
The Italian isn't the best player on hard courts but fights for every point, which is what she needs to do against hitters like Osaka.
If she can put the ball back frequently enough and get a bad day from Osaka, she might even win this match. It will be tough, and a lot of things will have to go right for her, but there is a chance that Osaka will revert to some of the bad habits she had earlier this year.
| Naomi Osaka | Elisabetta Cocciaretto | |
| 0 | H2H | 0 |
| 287 | Rank | 60 |
| 26 | Age | 23 |
| 5-5 | 2024 W/L | 10-7 |
| 268-152 | Career W/L | 164-95 |
Prediction:
Generally, though, this is a matchup in which the Japanese player should win comfortably. She's the better player and far better fit on a tennis court like the one in Miami. She's also played very well in the city in the past, so I think that should be enough for her to cruise in this match.
Prediction: Naomi Osaka to win in two sets.
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