In a highly anticipated first-round match at the 2025 French Open, Spain’s Paula Badosa defeated Japan’s Naomi Osaka in a thrilling three-set encounter on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Badosa, the tournament’s 10th seed, showcased resilience and tactical prowess to overcome Osaka with a scoreline of 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 .
The match began with Osaka displaying her aggressive baseline play, clinching the first set in a dominant tiebreak. However, Badosa adjusted her strategy in the second set, exploiting Osaka’s movement on clay and breaking her serve multiple times to level the match. The deciding set saw both players exchanging powerful groundstrokes, but Badosa’s consistency and mental fortitude secured her victory .
This encounter marked the first-ever meeting between the two former top-ranked players, both making comebacks after injury setbacks. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, had shown promising form leading up to Roland Garros, while Badosa demonstrated her clay-court expertise and determination.
Badosa’s win propels her into the second round, where she aims to continue her pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title. For Osaka, despite the early exit, the match provided valuable insights and experience as she continues her return to top-level tennis.
The contest was hailed as one of the standout matches of the tournament’s opening rounds, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of women’s tennis at the highest level.
