Naomi Osaka vs Eva Lys Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Osaka to prevail in Rome opener

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Fri 08 May 2026 01:32

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Andrew Hendrie 08 May 2026

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Naomi Osaka vs Eva Lys predictions for Friday's WTA Rome R2 match
Osaka has a good recent record vs lower-ranked opponents on clay
Lys struggles vs top 20 with a 1-14 record - but can be competitive here
The match is scheduled to start around 9.00pm AEST on Friday May 8

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Naomi Osaka (Photo by Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka vs Eva Lys Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka gets her Italian Open campaign up and running when she faces Eva Lys in the second round in Rome on Friday.

Naomi Osaka vs Eva Lys Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Osaka vs Lys Stats & Trends
Osaka vs Lys Head To Head
Naomi Osaka Form Analysis
Eva Lys Form Analysis
Osaka vs Lys Live Stream

It's been a stop-start season for Osaka, but she remains inside the top 20 and played some great tennis in Madrid last week, giving her a nice stepping stone into this tournament in Rome and Roland Garros later this month. It's taken Sabalenka to stop Osaka in two of her last three tournaments and the Japanese star should be confident of moving past her German opponent here.

Lys was playing some fantastic tennis at the end of last year and to begin 2026 at the United Cup, but she was struck down with a torn knee tendon and subsequently missed two months of action. It's been a slow grind back to fitness, but Lys did manage to register a good three-set victory over Katie Boulter in her Rome opener - just her second win since January.

But Osaka is in a different class. The four-time major champion isn't entirely reliable, but she's looks strong enough lately. Lys was playing top 20 players close before injury, but she just doesn't have the firepower to beat them consistently. I'll back Osaka with Over 18.5 total games.

Osaka vs Lys Stats & Trends

Osaka has won her last five clay matches vs lower-ranked opposition
Three of Osaka's last four matches on clay vs lower-ranked players have seen Over 18.5 games
Lys has a 1-14 record vs top 20 players
Lys has seen Over 18.5 games in five of her last six matches vs top 20 players
Lys has lost six of her last eight matches

Osaka vs Lys Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Naomi Osaka Form Analysis

2026 Record: 7-4
WTA Rome Record: 9-5
Current Ranking: No. 16
Career-High Ranking: No. 1 (2019)

Osaka continues to be forced into playing a limited schedule due to constant niggling injuries, which is impacting her ability to push her way back into the top 10.

The four-time Grand Slam champion was looking good at the Australian Open, but had to withdraw injured ahead of the fourth round. Osaka didn't play again until Indian Wells, where she again reached the R16 before going down to Sabalenka.

After a shock opening loss in Miami to Talia Gibson, Osaka didn't start her clay swing until last week in Madrid, where she was stopped for the second time this year by Sabalenka in the R16.

However, it was a promising display from Osaka as she took the opening set in a tiebreak before fading away, 6-7(1) 6-3 6-2.

The 28-year-old has made the R16 in Rome the last two years, with her best result coming in 2019 when she made the quarter-finals.

Eva Lys Form Analysis

2026 Record: 3-6
WTA Rome Record: 2-1
Current Ranking: No. 80
Career-High Ranking: No. 39 (Jan 2026)

Lys was making good headway towards the top 30 after a R16 finish at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing towards the end of last year, where she earned a first top 10 win over Elena Rybakina.

The 24-year-old also started 2026 in encouraging fashion by pushing Iga Swiatek at the United Cup, falling in three sets.

However, Lys picked up a knee injury that contributed to a first round loss at the Australian Open - she was defending R16 points and her ranking took a big hit.

Sidelined for the next two months, Lys claimed her first win since January at Stuttgart by beating Paula Badosa, but couldn't back it up with a opening round loss to Zhang Shuai in Madrid.

Lys appears to be finding her rhythm again in Rome, outlasting Katie Boulter 6-4 3-6 6-4 to set up this meeting with Osaka.