Naomi Osaka was unable to beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros.
Osaka and Sabalenka were involved in the first women’s night session match on Court Philippe-Chatrier in three years at Roland Garros.
It was a highly competitive match between the two four-time Grand Slam champions, but ultimately Sabalenka came out on top after beating Osaka 7-5, 6-3.
After watching Osaka’s best ever run at Roland Garros come to an end, former world number one Chris Evert made a prediction about the Japanese player.
Chris Evert predicts Naomi Osaka to keep climbing up the rankings
Evert was full of praise for Osaka when speaking about her performance live on TNT Sports, and backed the world number 16 to keep climbing the rankings.
“She is really playing some great clay court tennis. A surface she has not excelled on,” said Evert. “She is primarily a hard court player, she had to learn patience. As we say goodbye to Naomi, who had a terrific tournament.
“That was very high quality in my mind. She is definitely here to stay and she is going to rise in the rankings, I think, even more so.”
After reaching the fourth round of Roland Garros, Osaka is forecast to rise one spot in the live rankings up to world number 15.
Who is Aryna Sabalenka’s biggest threat for the Roland Garros title now?
As well as praising Osaka, Evert also had a lot of positive things to say about the current world number one Sabalenka, particularly highlighting her serve and touch.
“What an improvement in her composure on the court,” added Evert. “Her consistency and patience.
“Her first serves were astounding. Her first serves were great and then the touch she has added to her game, this year more than ever.”
What is next for Naomi Osaka?
Osaka will now have some time away from the match court, as she now looks ahead to the grass court season.
Grass is statistically Osaka’s worst surface in terms of career win-loss record, and she will be hoping to improve on her previous results this year.
Do you like Naomi Osaka’s desire to create new outfits at Grand Slams or is it a distraction? 👀
Osaka will only play one grass court tournament before Wimbledon this year at the WTA 500 tournament in Bad Homburg.
Last year at the Bad Homburg Open, Osaka lost in the second round to Emma Navarro, before reaching the third round of Wimbledon, which is her joint-best record at the grass court major.
The Bad Homburg Open is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, June 21, and is also set to feature the new doubles pairing of Alexandra Eala and Venus Williams.
