“I’m done with my crashout,” Noami Osaka wrote last month, on social media, ahead of her return following an early round exit in Madrid. Since withdrawing from the Australian Open in January, due to abdominal injury, the Japanese star has struggled to maintain a consistent form. As a result, she’s not been able to make deep runs in any WTA tournament. But it seems the bad phase is over now. She’s ready to bounce back and the first signs of an improved Osaka have surfaced in Saint-Malo. Despite it being a low-level, 125K, event, the four-time slam queen opted to compete in it and guess what? She’s made it to her maiden clay court final! On Sunday, she will be on the brink of winning her first championship after a long gap of 4 years when she steps against Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan.
Naomi Osaka v Kaja Juvan: Preview
Naomi Osaka’s 2025 season has been lackluster so far. The poor form and injuries have resulted in a disappointing run for the four-time slam champion. She started the year on a high note, reaching the final of the ASB Classic. But the abdominal injury forced her to withdraw from the match against Clara Tauson. Then in the Australian Open, Osaka was looking solid. But the persistent abdominal strain made her leave the campaign, in third round, against Belinda Bencic.
When she came back to action, after a month of recovery, Osaka faced an early exit in Indian Wells. Colombia’s Camila Osorio ousted her in R128 with a score line of 6-4, 6-4. In Miami, she made it to the R16 but couldn’t move further after losing against Jasmine Paolini. Coming to Madrid, she faced another first-round defeat against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.
However, Osaka seems to have regained her lost magic at the WTA 125 Saint-Malo this week. She began the campaign with a straight-set win over Croatian Petra Marčinko. Then in R16, Osaka beat Frenchwoman Diane Parry before taking down another French player, Elsa Jacquemot, in the QF. Osaka then met one more French pro, Leolia Jeanjean, in the SF. She managed to edge her out with a score line of 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 and entered the summit clash.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the first round on Day 2 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Speaking of her opponent, Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan’s 2025 season has been mediocre at best. It’s also because she’s hardly appeared in major WTA events. In February, she played the ATX Open in Austin where she was ousted in R32 with a loss to Ena Shibahara.
Juvan then played the qualifiers for Indian Wells. In the first encounter, she managed to win against German Laura Siegemund. But in the next game, her hopes to enter the main draws ended with a defeat against American Whitney Osuigwe. At the WTA 125 Saint-Malo, however, the World No. 515 has performed exceptionally this week. She beat Belgian Greet Minnen in the opener before taking down Swiss pro Celine Naef in R16. The Slovenian then eliminated American Katie Volynets in the QF round. In the semis, she dominated Swiss player Viktorija Golubic (6-4, 6-4) to make it to the final battle.
Osaka v Juvan: Head-to-Head
Both players have never met in a WTA event in their careers. Currently, the h2h tally stands at 0-0. Sunday’s encounter will mark their first face-off against other on the professional level.
Prediction: Noami Osaka to win in straight sets
Despite not being consistent this season, Naomi Osaka has got a solid edge over Kaja Juvan in singles stats. With a win percentage of 72.22, she’s won 13 of her 18 matches so far. On the other hand, the Slovenian has only won 4 of her five encounters when it comes to main WTA events this season (not including qualifying matches).
Coming onto event history, Osaka has opted to compete in Saint-Malo for the first time. And in her maiden campaign, she’s managed to earn the best run, being in the summit clash of the WTA 125 event. Same is the case with Juvan as well who’s succeeded in making it to the summit clash in her first appearance itself.
But what their playing styles? Well, Osaka’s known for her signature power and aggression, thanks to a solid serve and dominating forehand. Combine that up with her effective two-handed backhand and impressive athleticism on the court. She also likes to build pressure by earning points through long rallies against her opponents. When it comes to Juvan, she prefers to put on an artistic style on the court, graced by sharp angles, solid drop shots, and a well-rounded gameplay. She’s got the ability to adapt to any type of court condition.
Looking at the overall form in 2025, the Japanese star’s got a big advantage over the 515-ranked player. On Sunday, Naomi Osaka is expected to win her maiden clay court title in straight sets.
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