In a electrifying first-round clash at the 2025 French Open, Spanish tenth seed Paula Badosa delivered a stunning comeback to overcome four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, securing a 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The match, a highly anticipated showdown between two players on inspiring comeback trails, showcased Badosa’s resilience and tactical prowess as she battled back from a set down to advance at Roland Garros. The two-hour-and-21-minute spectacle captivated the Parisian crowd, setting the tone for an unpredictable tournament.
The opening set was a tightly contested affair, with Osaka, dressed in a vibrant cherry blossom-themed outfit, showcasing her signature power. Despite chipping a nail, which she trimmed courtside during a break, the former world number one pushed Badosa to a tiebreak, dominating it 7-1 to claim the set. Osaka’s aggressive play and seven aces kept Badosa on the defensive, but the Spaniard remained undeterred. “I have to say that when I was 7-6 down, the first thing I did was to look over there [at Nadal’s footprint],” Badosa revealed post-match, drawing inspiration from a newly unveiled plaque honoring Rafael Nadal’s 14 Roland Garros titles. That moment of reflection ignited her fightback.
Badosa roared back in the second set, capitalizing on Osaka’s 54 unforced errors, nearly double her own count. Winning the first five games, she leveled the match with a commanding 6-1 scoreline. The momentum shifted decisively as Badosa’s superior clay-court movement and counterpunching began to unravel Osaka’s game. The third set saw Osaka take an early 2-0 lead, but Badosa’s tactical acumen shone through. Mixing low, mid-court shots with slow, high-looping balls, she extracted errors from Osaka, leveling the set and securing a crucial break in the seventh game to clinch the match. “Honestly, it’s not fair to play her first round, but I’m really happy with the level, especially coming from an injury,” Badosa said, acknowledging the challenge posed by Osaka’s resurgence.
Both players entered the match with compelling narratives. Badosa, who peaked at world number two in 2022, has battled persistent back injuries that forced her to withdraw from multiple tournaments, including Rome, where a scheduled clash with Osaka was canceled. Her 2025 season began with a career-best Australian Open semifinal, highlighted by a win over Coco Gauff, but injuries limited her clay-court preparation to just one event in Strasbourg. Despite this, her 163-87 career record on clay and a 2021 Roland Garros quarterfinal run underscored her pedigree on the surface.
Osaka, meanwhile, was riding a wave of momentum after ending a four-year title drought at the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo. Her 2025 season, marked by a 17-6 record, included a fourth-round appearance in Rome and a near-upset of Iga Swiatek at the 2024 French Open. However, clay remains her weakest surface, with no Roland Garros run beyond the third round. Her emotional post-match press conference, where she fought back tears, revealed the weight of the defeat. “I’m choosing to spend this time away from my daughter in order to attempt to achieve things, so I have to make the most out of that time,” Osaka shared, reflecting on her return to tennis after motherhood and injury challenges.
Badosa’s victory propels her into the second round against the winner of Elena-Gabriela Ruse and McCartney Kessler, with a potential deep run in sight. Her ability to overcome a player of Osaka’s caliber, especially under physical duress, signals her readiness to contend. For Osaka, the loss marks another early Roland Garros exit, but her competitive showing suggests she’s nearing her peak form. As Badosa celebrated, the Roland Garros crowd roared, sensing the Spaniard’s potential to emulate Nadal’s fighting spirit on the clay.
# Paula Badosa Stages Dramatic Comeback to Defeat Naomi Osaka in French Open Thriller
## Match Recap
Spanish tenth seed Paula Badosa outlasted Naomi Osaka in a gripping first-round match at the 2025 French Open, winning 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Trailing by a set and a break in the third, Badosa rallied to secure her fifth second-round appearance at Roland Garros.
## Key Moments
Osaka dominated the first-set tiebreak, but Badosa responded by winning five straight games in the second set. Despite Osaka’s early 2-0 lead in the decider, Badosa’s tactical mix of spin and high-looping shots forced 54 unforced errors from Osaka, who was broken five times.
## Quotes
– “I have to say that when I was 7-6 down, the first thing I did was to look over there [at Nadal’s footprint].” — Paula Badosa
– “Honestly, it’s not fair to play her first round, but I’m really happy with the level, especially coming from an injury.” — Badosa
– “I’m choosing to spend this time away from my daughter in order to attempt to achieve things, so I have to make the most out of that time.” — Naomi Osaka
## Player Context
Badosa, with a 13-8 record in 2025, overcame a back injury that limited her clay season to one event. Her Australian Open semifinal and 2021 Roland Garros quarterfinal highlight her clay-court prowess. Osaka, with a 17-6 record, won in Saint-Malo but struggles on clay, with no French Open run past the third round.
## Next Steps
Badosa advances to face the winner of Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs. McCartney Kessler on May 28 or 29, 2025. Osaka, despite the loss, showed signs of her best form and will aim to rebound at Wimbledon.
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