Naomi Osaka has won her first title since 2021 after winning the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo in France on Sunday.
The former world No.1 defeated Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5, in the final to claim her first-ever title on the clay at a WTA tournament. Osaka was down 2-4 (15-40) in the second set but managed to fight back to seal a straight sets victory. Throughout the tournament, she only dropped one set in five matches played which was in the second round against Diane Parry.
Osaka entered the draw after being awarded a wildcard by the organizers. The event, which is categorized as a WTA 125, was her first appearance at a tournament below WTA 250 level since 2015. En route to victory, she scored wins over Petra Marcinko, Parry, Elsa Jacquemot, Léolia Jeanjean and then former top 60 player Juvan.
As a result of her victory, Osaka will return back into the world’s top 50 on Monday following what has been a mixed start to 2025. After reaching the final in Auckland and the third round of the Australian Open, she suffered early exits in both Indian Wells and Madrid. However, she made it through to the fourth round in Miami before losing to Jasmine Paolini.
Osaka will be hoping to continue her recent success at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome. She has only made it through to the quarter-finals once in five previous appearances at the WTA 1000 event.
Saint-Malo is the first tournament Osaka has won since the 2021 Australian Open.
Osaka’s singles titles
- 2018 Indian Wells Open, United States (WTA 1000)
- 2018 US Open, United States (GRAND SLAM)
- 2019 Australian Open, Australia (GRAND SLAM)
- 2019 Pan Pacific Open, Japan (WTA 500)
- 2019 China Open, China (WTA 1000)
- 2020 US Open, United States (GRAND SLAM)
- 2021 Australian Open, Australia (GRAND SLAM)
- 2025 L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo (WTA 125)
