Former world number one Naomi Osaka has secured her first WTA title in over three years, defeating Slovenia's Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5 in the final of L'Open 35 de Saint-Malo. The Japanese star, who had not lifted a trophy since her triumph at the 2021 Australian Open, showed glimpses of her formidable talent in this WTA 125 tournament.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the four-time Grand Slam champion, as it represents her first title since becoming a mother in July 2023. Osaka's return to professional tennis following maternity leave had been challenging, with power and consistency issues hampering her performances.
Last year, the 27-year-old struggled to advance beyond the second round in any Grand Slam event. However, signs of improvement appeared in January when she reached the third round of the Australian Open.
According to Statbet analysis, Osaka's serving statistics in this tournament showed marked improvement compared to her recent performances, suggesting her comeback trajectory is gaining momentum.
While the Saint-Malo event may be considered modest compared to the Grand Slams where Osaka built her reputation, this triumph provides a valuable confidence boost as she prepares for the French Open later this month. The Roland Garros main draw will feature a reinvigorated Osaka, who now has tangible evidence that her comeback journey is heading in the right direction.
