Osaka breaks four-year title drought with mom of all wins on clay

4-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka has gained her first WTA title since triumphing on the 2021 Australian Open after beating Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 6-1 7-5 within the ultimate of the lower-level L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo match.

It was the 27-year-old Japanese participant’s first title – albeit solely on the minor WTA 125 degree – since she grew to become a mom in July 2023.

“Kinda ironic to win my first trophy again on the floor that I assumed was my worst.

“That’s certainly one of my favorite issues about life although, there’s all the time room to develop and evolve,” Osaka posted on X about her clay-court triumph in France on Sunday.

Osaka struggled along with her lack of energy and accuracy as she didn’t progress past the second spherical of any grand slam final yr.

However the former world No.1, who reached the third spherical of the Australian Open in January earlier than retiring because of damage, is about to function in the primary draw of the French Open later this month.

Osaka had accepted a wildcard into the occasion because the No.2 seed and loved a advantageous run, dropping a set apiece to French gamers Diane Parry and Leolia Jeanjean en path to her first match win in 4 years.

© AAP