PARIS : Defending French Open champion Iga Swiatek will take on Naomi Osaka in a blockbuster second-round contest between the two most successful women in the Roland Garros draw, renewing a rivalry split down the middle after two years on Wednesday.
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 27, 2024 Poland's Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning her first round match against France's Leolia Jeanjean REUTERS/Yves Herman
Swiatek heads into the clash against her fellow four-times Grand Slam champion in the form of her life on clay, having captured titles in Madrid and Rome as she bids to lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup for a fourth time. Osaka arrives under vastly different circumstances, having returned to the tour at the start of the season following a long maternity break, but she showed flashes of top form during her tough opening Roland Garros win over Lucia Bronzetti.
"She's a great person and her game style is pretty fun to watch. I'm glad she came back and she's playing more tournaments even than before the break.Osaka was excited by the challenge, having dedicated herself to improving her game on a surface where success has eluded her.
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