French Open 2024: Naomi Osaka facing'best player on clay' Iga Swiatek a 'really good match-up', says Laura Robson

Published 26/05/2024 at 13:17 GMT

Eurosport expert Laura Robson has branded Iga Swiątek "definitely the best player on clay" and believes that the Pole's potential second-round encounter with Naomi Osaka at the French Open could prove to be a "really, really good match-up". Osaka, playing at Roland-Garros for the first time since 2022, beat Lucia Bronzetti in three sets. Swiatek faces Leolia Jeanjean in her first-round match.

'Her mental strength really got her through today' - Robson reacts to Osaka win

Eurosport expert Laura Robson has called Iga Swiątek "the best player on clay", and predicts her potential second-round tie with Naomi Osaka to be a "really good match-up."

Osaka came through the tricky Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1 4-6 7-5 in her first-round match at Roland-Garros, in the Japanese's first appearance since 2022, having missed last year's event due to pregnancy.

She was beaten in the first round two years ago by the American Amanda Anisimova.

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After Osaka's three-set victory, Robson spoke with excitement about the prospect of an early Swiatek-Osaka match-up, which would happen if the world No. 1 beats Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean on Monday.

“[Swiatek] is definitely the best player on clay at the moment," Robson said. "I don’t think there’s any doubt.

"She’s getting everyone out of position. I can imagine how high she is going to be getting Naomi to play her shots. That’s a different battle, a couple of days away. She’s got plenty of time to recover and think about it. Maybe you don’t want to overthink those tactics because you know how good Iga is going to be down the other end. [A ] really, really good match-up.”

Osaka exploded out of the blocks as she opened play on Court Philippe-Chatrier, racing into a 6-1 lead, but she tightened up in the second, with Bronzetti levelling the match at 6-4.

However, Osaka displayed expert mental fortitude to bounce back from the initial disappointment and take the deciding set 7-5 and seal her place in the next round.

"I was glad to hear her say she was nervous because from the side you could see elements of her game where that was showing, especially the forehand," Robson explained.

French Open highlights - Osaka battles past Bronzetti in three tough sets

"It looked like Naomi was starting to slow down the racquet-head speed, which you don’t normally see from her. The fact that it was down to nerves and that she was able to come through it and what was a really tough match is a really good sign. It’s the first round of a Slam, she hasn’t been here in a couple of years, it’s on clay, and the wind picked up throughout the match.

"That played a part where all of a sudden you start second-guessing yourself about how early to take it. When she was playing down on the forehand and committing to it, it was perfect, but as soon as it was out of position slightly, either down to the wind or her footwork, things started to change. Once you have that in your head, nerves start to creep in."