2026 French Open

Naomi Osaka vs Donna Vekic Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Osaka to edge out Vekic & reach third round

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 28 May 2026 00:47

Andrew Hendrie 1 hour ago

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Naomi Osaka vs Donna Vekic predictions for Thursday's French Open R2 match
First meeting between the pair in seven years - Osaka prevailed in final-set tiebreak
Both players in solid form - Over 20.5 games backed, with Osaka winning in three
The match is scheduled to start at 7.00pm AEST on Thursday May 28

Naomi Osaka (Photo by Getty Images)

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Naomi Osaka vs Donna Vekic Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Naomi Osaka will be looking to equal her career-best result at the French Open when she meets the big-serving Donna Vekic in the second round on Thursday.

Naomi Osaka vs Donna Vekic Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Osaka vs Vekic Stats & Trends
Osaka vs Vekic Head To Head
Naomi Osaka Form Analysis
Donna Vekic Form Analysis
Osaka vs Vekic Live Stream

Osaka is competing in just her sixth tournament of the season due to injury, but she showcased some solid clay court tennis in the build-up to Roland Garros and was impressive in a straight sets dispatch of Laura Siegemund in her opening round. The former World No. 1 has reached the third round at Roland Garros three times, but has never gone further. Could this be the year?

Meanwhile, Vekic is arguably having the most productive clay swing of her career, winning a total of 13 matches on the surface at all levels. The Croatian isn't usually associated with clay court prowess, but it's easy to forget that Vekic made the 2024 Olympics final when the tournament was contested at Roland Garros - she has the ability to do damage on this surface, especially in the heat when the balls fly quicker through the air.

Osaka has a dominant 20-4 record in Grand Slam second round matches and she's obviously the superior player, so I think she has the slight edge. But Vekic is in good form and that serve can help her keep this competitive. Over 20.5 games with Osaka prevailing in three is the play.

Osaka vs Vekic Stats & Trends

Osaka has seen Over 20.5 games in three of her last five matches
The last meeting between the pair on clay went to a final set tiebreak
Osaka has won back-to-back matches in four of her last five tournaments
Vekic has won 13 of her last 17 matches on clay at all levels
Osaka has won 20 of her 24 Grand Slam second round matches
Vekic has gone 4-3 in her last seven matches vs top 20 players on clay

Osaka vs Vekic Head To Head

Osaka leads 2-0, but it's been seven years since their last encounter.

Year	Tournament	Round	Surface	Winner	Score
2019	Stuttgart	Quarterfinals	Clay	Naomi Osaka	6-3 4-6 7-6(4)
2016	Australian Open	Round of 128	Hard	Naomi Osaka	6-3 6-2

Naomi Osaka Form Analysis

2026 Record: 10-6
French Open Record: 9-7
Current Ranking: No. 16
Career-High Ranking: No. 1 (2019)

It's been an injury-disrupted season for Osaka, who is playing just her sixth tournament of the season after withdrawing from the first major of the season at the Australian Open ahead of the third round.

Osaka didn't play again until Indian Wells in March, where she made the R16 before going down to Aryna Sabalenka, while she was stunned in her Miami opener by Talia Gibson.

The four-time major champion has been solid since transitioning to clay, reaching the R16 at both Madrid and Rome, going down to Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek respectively.

Osaka got her Roland Garros campaign up and running by toppling Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6(3).

Donna Vekic Form Analysis

2026 Record: 5-6
French Open Record: 12-13
Current Ranking: No. 72
Career-High Ranking: No. 17 (Jan 2025)

It's been a disappointing season overall for Vekic, with her ranking dropping out of the top 70 and managing back-to-back wins at tour-level just once.

Vekic lost her opening four matches of the year, but the switch to clay has seen a slight upturn in form.

The Croatian qualified for Charleston and won a round in the main draw, while she also qualified in Linz and advanced to the semi-finals.

Vekic then finished runner-up at the WTA 125 event in Istanbul before registering a 6-3 6-2 victory over local wildcard Alice Tubello in her Roland Garros opener.