2026 Australian Open

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Naomi Osaka vs Sorana Cirstea Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Osaka to edge close second round clash

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed 21 Jan 2026 23:22

Andrew Hendrie 21 Jan 2026

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Naomi Osaka vs Sorana Cirstea predictions for Thursday's Australian Open R2 match
It's the first meeting between the pair since 2015 Wimbledon qualifying
Both players involved in long Grand Slam matches in recent times
The match is scheduled to start at 7.00pm AEDT on Thursday January 22

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Naomi Osaka (Photo by Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka vs Sorana Cirstea Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka could be in for another tough battle when she faces veteran Sorana Cirstea in the second round on Thursday night.

Naomi Osaka vs Sorana Cirstea Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Osaka vs Cirstea Stats & Trends
Osaka vs Cirstea Head To Head
Naomi Osaka Form Analysis
Sorana Cirstea Form Analysis
Osaka vs Cirstea Live Stream

Osaka made headlines with her fashion statement during the opening round, but fortunately for the former World No. 1, she backed it up on court, surviving the challenge of Antonia Ruzic in three sets to advance into the second round. You get the feeling that Osaka is on the verge of another Grand Slam breakthrough, it's just hard to predict when or where it's going to come. The 28-year-old did make the semi-finals of the US Open last year, so she's close, but her form and consistency still remains slightly erratic. Meanwhile, Cirstea has announced that 2026 will be her last year on tour, but the 35-year-old is still playing some superb tennis, taking care of the in-form Eva Lys in three sets in her opening round.

I can see a close encounter playing out here. Osaka has seen Over 21.5 total games in four of her last five slam matches, while Cirstea is also no stranger to long matches at majors - and pushing top 20 opponents at this level. I'm predicting the Romanian to make this a very competitive match, but Osaka's peak level is still far higher and if she finds it, the two-time champion should be able to come out on top.

Osaka vs Cirstea Stats & Trends

Osaka is 19-4 in Grand Slam second round matches
Osaka is 27-7 at the Australian Open
Osaka has seen Over 21.5 games in four of her last five Grand Slam matches
Cirstea has seen Over 21.5 games in six of her last eight Grand Slam matches
Cirstea has seen Over 21.5 games in six of her last nine Grand Slam matches vs top 20 players
Cirstea is 15-27 vs top 20 players at Grand Slam level
Osaka is 45-11 vs players outside the top 40 at Grand Slam level

Osaka vs Cirstea Head To Head

Incredibly, these two have never played at tour-level, with their lone meeting come at Wimbledon qualifying more than a decade ago.

Date	Tournament	Level	Surface	Winner	Score
23 Jun 2015	Wimbledon Qualifying	Grand Slam Qualifying	Grass	Sorana Cirstea	2-6 6-1 6-4

Naomi Osaka Form Analysis

2026 Record: 2-1
2025 Record: 30-16
Australian Open Record: 27-7
Grand Slam Record: 70-26
Current Ranking: No. 17
Career-High Ranking: No. 1 (2019)

Osaka has been progressing steadily back toward the top tier of the rankings since her return from maternity leave in 2023, with momentum building gradually rather than instantly.

The former world No. 1 has yet to piece together a full, uninterrupted season due to minor injury setbacks, but she rediscovered rhythm and confidence during last year’s North American hard-court swing, creating an encouraging platform as she moves into 2026.

That resurgence was highlighted by a run to the Canada Open final, where she finished runner-up to teenage sensation Victoria Mboko, before backing it up with a semi-final appearance at the US Open. Along the way, Osaka defeated three top-15 opponents in Daria Kasatkina, Karolina Muchova and Coco Gauff, underlining her capacity to compete with the elite once more.

Osaka went 1-1 at the United Cup, defeating Katie Swan and losing to Maria Sakkari, while she managed to outlast Antonia Ruzic in her Australian Open first round, coming from a break down in the deciding set to prevail 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Osaka finished strongly, winning 12 of the last 15 points.

Sorana Cirstea Form Analysis

2026 Record: 3-1
2025 Record: 28-18
Australian Open Record: 17-17
Grand Slam Record: 67-65
Current Ranking: No. 41
Career-High Ranking: No. 21 (2013)

Despite announcing her retirement for the end of this season, Cirstea has been playing some good tennis lately and comes into this clash only 20 spots off her career-high ranking, which was achieved all the way back in 2013.

Cirstea found some of her best form in the back-half of last year, winning just her third WTA title in Cleveland, along with making semi-finals at Osaka and Iasi, and a fourth round finish in Cincinnati.

The 35-year-old also enjoyed a solid start to 2026, beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Jelena Ostapenko to reach the Brisbane quarter-finals, where she went down to eventual champion and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Cirstea first played in the Australian Open main draw back in 2008 and she's still winning matches almost two decades later, coming from a set and a break down to conquer the in-form Eva Lys 3-6 6-4 6-3 in her first round.

Osaka vs Cirstea Live Stream

Watch and bet on Naomi Osaka vs Sorana Cirstea live Australian Open tennis.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > Australian Open with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Naomi Osaka v Sorana Cirstea

Cirstea is enjoying a late-career resurgence and I'm tipping her to extend this match over 21.5 total games - but Osaka has that extra level and if she finds it, she should edge what should be a fun second round encounter.

Osaka Win

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Over 21.5

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Osaka 2-1

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