Home/Tennis

via Getty

via Getty

Even though high-profile fixtures are usually seen in the latter rounds, one will take place in the second round of this season’s Roland Garros. Grand Slam champions, Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek, will square off against each other in a blockbuster second-round encounter on the centre court, Philippe Chatrier. As the former and current number 1 players will now be vying for glory in Paris, here’s how you can catch up on all the live action from the comfort of your home.

This season’s clay Grand Slam event will be broadcast in the United States by three well-known streaming services: Peacock, the Tennis Channel, and NBC Sports. The matches on Sunday and Monday were streamed on NBC and Peacock, before the coverage of the remaining fixtures this week moved to the Tennis Channel. According to the broadcasting schedule, fans in the US will need access to the Tennis Channel to watch the second-round match between Osaka and Swiatek, which will start around 9:15 am ET.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The French Open matches may now be streamed directly through the Tennis Channel+ app, while NBC coverage can be viewed on both NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. After the conclusion of the initial and quarterfinal round fixtures, all the action from the semifinals and championship matches will return to NBC/peacock. As the tennis community is now all excited to witness a clay court clash between two Grand Slam champions, here’s a preview of their second-round match.

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek to mark their third meeting at the French Open

Entering the tournament as the number 1 seed, Iga Świątek recently thumped her unseeded French opponent, Leolia Jeanjean, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. The Polish player had a remarkable 78% winning percentage on her first serves, and she also managed to convert 6 out of 6 breakpoints.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Naomi Osaka, on the other hand, was up against the Italian Lucia Bronzetti, who made her do the hard work in a close three-set contest. With a 69% winning percentage on her first serves, the Japanese managed to overcome Bronzetti with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. The former number 1 player hit 4 aces and 6 double faults while converting five out of 11 breakpoints.

Osaka will now lock horns with Swiatek in their third meeting on the WTA circuit, with their H2H record currently tied at 1-1. Who do you think will prevail in this blockbuster French Open clash between Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek? Let us know in the comments section.