Naomi Osaka will face Sara Errani in a matchup that is a proper flashback match, as the two former WTA Top 10 players will clash in Indian Wells.
Only proper fans remember Sara Errani's glory days and how frustrating it was for opposing players. The Italian player is much older now, but the irritation factor of playing her is still present, especially with a recent run of very solid results.
The Italian has a signature style that is easily counterbalanced with today's style of tennis, but you need to be really good at it. Naomi Osaka showed a competent level in her most recent outing, and she can be even better in Indian Wells.
This is her backyard, she lives in California and knows these courts well. Everything is setting up for a proper comeback run from Osaka but she'll have to be careful in this matchup.
Head-to-head:
It's not so much that this matchup is hard for Errani as that she can lose if she's not careful. Osaka should dismantle Errani, considering her power and the way Indian Wells courts play, but if she's not careful enough, she might get trapped in the tricky playstyle.
Errani will look to deliberately mess up Osaka's rhythm and force her into errors, but I don't think the Japanese player will be affected too much. She was hitting really well in Doha and has been generally playing well. With some recovery time at home, I expect Osaka to be ready.
| Naomi Osaka | Sarra Errani | |
| 1 | H2H | 0 |
| 287 | Rank | 100 |
| 26 | Age | 36 |
| 3-4 | 2024 W/L | 5-5 |
| 268-152 | Career W/L | 663-490 |
Prediction:
The fitness will come into question because we don't know if she's getting closer to peak condition. She looked better in Doha, so the hope is that she's even better here, but she should cruise on hitting talent alone.
Prediction: Naomi Osaka to win in two sets.
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