Osaka on Rematch with Swiatek: Life Is Cruel

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, May 10, 2026
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook

Even after a commanding win, Naomi Osaka observed clay cruelty.

The 15th-seeded Osaka dismissed Diana Schnaider 6-1, 6-2, to roll into the Rome round of 16 for the second straight year.

The good news for Osaka: she delivered a dominant clay-court performance winning 24 of 39 points played on Schnaider’s serve and breaking serve five times to power into her third WTA 1000 round of 16 after Indian Wells and Madrid.

The bad news: Osaka will face three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek next, after Swiatek dismantled Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-0

That potential rematch prompted comic response from Osaka, who lost to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, 7-6(1), 3-6, 2-6 in Madrid.

“Life is a little cruel. Damn. Sabalenka, now Iga,” Osaka said with a smile. “I don’t know. I think obviously for me that’s where I show up. I think even though it hasn’t been in my favor the last couple of times, for me those matches are the most fun.

“I’m excited at the thought. I don’t know, it just makes me smile.”

At Roland-Garros in 2024, Osaka held a match point before Swiatek rallied for a 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 victory in a rematch of the 2022 Miami Open final, which the Pole won.

Osaka, who has yet to surpass the Roland Garros third round in eight career appearances in Paris, was previously coached by Wim Fissette, who went on to coach Swiatek to the Wimbledon championship.

Working with current coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, who previously coached Swiatek to major titles, Osaka said she’s focusing on playing with patient aggression on dirt.

“Honestly I think now with Tomasz, we’re not trying to change too much,” Osaka said. “Obviously make smart decisions. I don’t really know what my game is on hard court compared to here that much differently.

“I feel the points are longer here. Overall everyone’s just trying…Well, I’m just trying to be aggressive but smart.”