Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka set for mouth-watering Miami clash
What was Naomi Osaka’s reward for winning the Indian Wells Masters? A Miami Open match-up against Serena Williams.
The 20-year-old Osaka claimed her first WTA title with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Daria Kasatkina on Sunday.
She rose to a career-high No 22 in the world rankings on the back of her BNP Paribas Open run, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a first-round encounter against 23-time Grand Slam winner Williams.
Eight-time Miami champion Williams, who made her singles comeback at Indian Wells a fortnight ago following a year out of the game, received a wildcard entry into the event.
Having lost in the third round against her sister Venus, Serena will be looking to go further in this tournament, but she will have her work cut out as Osaka dispatched Maria Sharapova, Karolina Pliskova and world No 1 Simona Halep en route to winning the BNP Paribas Open.
And it won’t get any easier for the winner in the second round as fourth seed Elina Svitolina awaits.
Halep is once again the top seed with Caroline Wozniacki ranked second and Garbine Muguruza seeded third.
Latest
-
NewsNovak Djokovic ‘set to be handed key Ryder Cup role’ as he flies into Rome
Novak Djokovic could have a a big role to play with Team Europe at the Ryder Cup in Rome.
-
Tennis NewsCarlos Alcaraz set to face rival in exhibition event; Caroline Wozniacki to play Maria Sakkari
Carlos Alcaraz is set to face a rival in an exhibition match in Mexico, while Caroline Wozniacki will take on Maria Sakkari.
-
Tennis NewsPiers Morgan rips into Emma Raducanu for taking part in ‘woke and absurd’ advert
Piers Morgan has turned his verbal fire on Raducanu after she took part in a HSBC advert.
-
Tennis NewsTennis legend backs Novak Djokovic to play ‘as long as the young guys don’t want to beat him’
A tennis great “does not blame” Novak Djokovic for wanting to continue playing for “as long as these young guys don’t want” to beat him.
-
Tennis News‘I’d love to see Rafael Nadal play one more time – he’s a student of the game’, says tennis great
A tennis legend would love to see fellow great Rafael Nadal play “one more time” before the Spaniard retires.
-
Tennis NewsRoger Federer ready to ‘return to the court’ as he hints at big plan
Roger Federer has hinted at a return to the court as he looks to get back into top shape.
-
Tennis NewsIga Swiatek reveals biggest hurdle to her completing a career Grand Slam
Iga Swiatek discussed when she hopes to complete a career Grand Slam and suggested what her biggest hurdle may be.
-
Tennis News‘Carlos Alcaraz was No 1 most of this year but all the players still think Novak Djokovic is No 1’
A top analyst has claimed “all the players” still think Novak Djokovic is the best player in the world.
-
ATP TourNightmare draw for Andy Murray as Carlos Alcaraz learns his fate in China Open
Carlos Alcaraz set to return to action for the first time since the US Open.
-
Tennis NewsHuge money on offer in China with record prize pot up for grabs for top women
The top women players will be chasing a huge cash prize at the China Open.