After the massive success of the opening ceremony, it is now time for the athletes to step on the courts to begin their respective runs. Among the ones to go first, Naomi Osaka‘s name tops the list. The WTA star, who made a comeback after giving birth to her daughter Shai, finally started to rise, giving a tough time to the champion Iga Swiatek.

Stepping into the same soil once again, the Japanese will begin her run with a showdown against Angelique Kerber. With their first-ever showdown on clay, fans can expect high levels of intensity. But who among these has better odds of winning? Let’s find out!

Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber: Preview

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka, ranked no. 102, is set to begin her run at the Paris Olympics after her last match in London, where she lost to Navarro in the second round with scores of 6-4, 6-1 on July 3rd. In 2024, Osaka has a win-loss record of 16-13, including a 5-4 record on clay courts. In her career so far, the Japanese star has a record of 254-140 which also includes a positive 39-30 record on clay.

Osaka has played 28 matches since her comeback in 2024, showing strong serving skills with 196 total aces and winning 79.3% of her service games. As she prepares for her opening match at the Paris Olympics, her recent performance and solid serve stats will be crucial for her success on the court.

Angelique Kerber

Currently ranked no. 217, Angelique Kerber is set to start her run at the Paris Olympics after her last match in London, where she had to face a defeat against Putintseva in the first round with scores of with a final scoreline of 7-5, 6-3. Kerber has a win-loss record of 7-14 in the ongoing season and a 3-3 record on clay courts.

In her career so far, the German star has a record of 639-363, including a positive 114-86 record on clay. As she prepares for her opening match at the Paris Olympics, her experience and past success on clay are considered to act as crucial factors in her performance on the court.

Osaka vs Kerber: Head-to-head

Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber will face each other for the seventh time. The German leads their head-to-head record 4-2, in a total of 6 matches played against each other. However, they have never played against each other on clay before.

Their last match was recorded in the second round at Miami back in 2022, where Osaka secured a remarkable win with a final scoreline of 6-2, 6-3. This upcoming match at the Paris Olympics will be interesting as it’s their first meeting on clay, and both players will be looking to add another win to their record. Here’s a list of the other showdowns played between them:

• WTA Finals 2018: Kerber won 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
• Wimbledon 2018: Keber won 6-2, 6-4
• Beijing 2017: Kerber won 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
• Tokyo 2017: Kerber won 6-3, 6-4
• US Open 2017: Osaka won 6-3, 6-1

Prediction: Osaka to win in straight sets

Naomi Osaka is predicted to win in straight sets against Angelique Kerber at the Paris Olympics. Osaka’s powerful forehand and strong serve can give her an upper hand on the surface, making it hard for Kerber to handle high-bouncing shots. Osaka’s 5-4 record on the dirt might not seem impressive, but it has given her a better momentum than Kerber’s 3-3 on clay.

The Japanese WTA star is known for her amazing serve, which touches the mark of 125 MPH on average. Along with that, her forehand and baseline game are two additional factors, that help her generate an aggressive topspin. Although Osaka is downtrodden in their head-to-head, her determination to set things right after her comeback powers up her performance. With these factors in consideration, the Japanese player is expected to win their match in straight sets.