Naomi Osaka vs Sara Errani Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Osaka targets sixth straight win in Rome opener

Osaka comes into Rome following a confidence-boosting week in Saint Malo, with the four-time major champion dropping down to WTA 125k level and picking up her first ever clay title. It was Osaka's first title of any kind since returning to the tour as a mother and after her last slam title at the 2021 Australian Open.

Having lost just five completed matches so far in 2025, Osaka could be on her way back towards the top of the game if she remains injury free. I think she's received a very favourable matchup first up in Rome - Errani has been awarded with her obligatory wildcard, but the 38-year-old is now ranked No. 177 in the world and has just two wins for the season. Osaka has won their previous two meetings for the loss of just four games, so I'm backing the former World No. 1 to cover a -5.5 games line in Rome.

Osaka leads 2-0, crushing Errani 6-1 6-3 at Miami 2016 before a 6-3 6-1 dispatch at Indian Wells 2024.

Osaka should be brimming with confidence as she enters this contest with a very solid 14-5 record on the season and coming off her first title since 2021.

The 27-year-old defeated the likes of Diane Parry and Leolia Jeanjean in three sets before toppling Kaja Juvan in straight sets in the Saint Malo final last week, capturing her first WTA 125k title and rising back into the world's top 50.

Osaka had started the season in encouraging fashion, reaching the Auckland final, but she was forced to retire with injury before also pulling out mid-match in the Australian Open third round after earlier defeating Karolina Muchova.

After a R16 exit in Miami to Jasmine Paolini, Osaka was bundled out in the opening round of Madrid by Lucia Bronzetti - prompting her to drop down to Challenger level, where she restored some confidence with the title last week.

Osaka hasn't played too much in Rome over her career, with her best result a quarter-final finish in 2019, while she also made the R16 last year.

Errani comes into this encounter with a 2-7 record on the season and is certainly more of a double specialist these days, where she still operates at No. 6 in the world.

However, Errani's singles ranking is down to No. 177 and she hasn't won a tour-level match since the 2024 US Open.

The 38-year-old lost in the opening round of Stuttgart as a lucky loser to Magdalena Frech before falling in Madrid qualifying to 18-year-old Maya Joint in her last tournament.

Errani made the final of Rome back in 2014, but has only won one match at the tournament since 2015.