Emma Raducanu vs Naomi Osaka Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Blockbuster clash between former US Open champions

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 24 Jul 2025 06:11

Andrew Hendrie 24 Jul 2025

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Emma Raducanu vs Naomi Osaka predictions for Thursday's WTA Washington R2
This will be the first career meeting between the pair
It's a clash between former US Open champions
The match is scheduled to start around 3.00am AEST on Friday July 25

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Naomi Osaka (Photo by Getty Images)

Emma Raducanu vs Naomi Osaka Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

It doesn't get much bigger than this for the second round of a WTA 500 tournament as former US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka clash for the first time on Thursday.

Emma Raducanu vs Naomi Osaka Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Head To Head
Emma Raducanu Form
Naomi Osaka Form
Live Stream

Between 2018-2021, Osaka and Raducanu combined to win three of the four US Open titles, but somewhat surprisingly, this will be the first ever meeting between the pair. Both players are trying to recapture the seismic heights of years gone by and while it's been a slow burn, they're each improving with every passing tournament - perhaps the winner of this match will go on to greater things this week in the American capital?

Tough match to call a winner and I do think it will be close - however, I'm leaning with Osaka to emerge triumphant. The former World No. 1 is back on her favourite hardcourt surface and has obviously enjoyed tremendous amounts of success in these conditions in the past. Raducanu is also playing well, but for me, Osaka's peak level is higher and if she can find it, the Japanese should be advancing to the quarter-finals.

Head To Head

As mentioned, this is the first time Osaka and Raducanu have squared off on tour.

Emma Raducanu Form

Raducanu has compiled a 19-14 record on the season, coming into this encounter at No. 46 in the world.

It's incredible to think that Raducanu's only career title was the US Open, which she won as an 18-year-old qualifier.

The Brit has struggled with injuries over the last few years, but has put together a full year so far in 2025 to remain inside the top 50.

Raducanu's best results have been quarter-finals at Queen's Club and the Miami Open, while she recently made the third round of Wimbledon, pushing World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a tight two-setter.

The 22-year-old got her Washington campaign up and running with a very solid 7-6 6-4 victory over Marta Kostyuk in a match that lasted almost two hours.

Naomi Osaka Form

Osaka has registered a 21-10 record at tour-level so far in 2025 and it seems like only a matter of time before she breaks through and claims that one big result that propels her back to the top of the game.

There's been glimpses of Osaka getting back to her best, but unfortunately for the four-time major champion, she's stumbling in the middle stages of tournaments.

The Japanese made the final of Auckland at the start of the season, but was forced to retire with injury, while she's made at least the third round at the Australian Open, Miami, Rome and Wimbledon.

A two-time US Open champion, Osaka knows she can beat anyone on these courts, but finding that belief and recapturing that sort of tennis continues to elude her.

The 27-year-old was a dominant 6-2 7-5 winner over Yulia Putintseva in her Washington opener, sending down eight aces and winning 89 per cent of her first serves.