Lucia Bronzetti achieved a significant milestone at the Mutua Madrid Open on Tuesday, securing her first-ever victory against Naomi Osaka. In their third career encounter, the Italian overcame the former World No. 1 in the opening round of the WTA 1000 clay-court event with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
Match Details and Bronzetti`s Progress
Ranked World No. 59, Bronzetti had a 0-2 record against Osaka prior to this match, including a loss on clay at Roland Garros last spring. However, she battled through a challenging 2-hour and 21-minute contest to advance. This win marks her second consecutive year reaching the second round in Madrid.
Notable Wins Against Former World No. 1s
This victory over Osaka is Bronzetti`s fourth career win against a former World No. 1 player, and notably, her third such win in 2024 alone. Earlier this year, she defeated Simona Halep in Halep`s final professional match and also beat two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open.
Players` Recent Form Entering Madrid
Both players arrived in Madrid seeking improved form. Bronzetti had lost her last three matches, including an unexpected defeat the previous week against a much lower-ranked opponent. Osaka was playing her first match since being eliminated in the fourth round of the Miami Open nearly a month prior.
Key Turning Points in the Match
Osaka started the match strongly, particularly on serve, holding an early lead in the first set. The pivotal moment in the opening set came at 3-3. Bronzetti secured a crucial break, winning three consecutive points from 30-15 by capitalizing on errors from Osaka`s groundstrokes.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Second Round Matchup
Lucia Bronzetti now faces a formidable challenge in the second round: fifth seed and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys. This match presents another opportunity for Bronzetti to break barriers, as she currently holds an 0-8 career record against Top 10 players and an 0-2 head-to-head record against Keys.
Rupert Caldwell