© Getty Images Sport – Chris Hyde
Naomi Osaka has received a nightmare first-round matchup at the Qatar Open as the former world No. 1 is set to meet again Caroline Garcia, while Emma Raducanu is also set to compete in Doha after being granted a main draw wildcard.
In her Grand Slam return at the Australian Open, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka didn’t have much luck with her draw, drawing 2022 WTA Finals champion Garcia in the first round.
What was expected to be a very tough matchup for Osaka turned out to be exactly that as Garcia beat the Japanese 6-4 7-6 (2) to send the Japanese packing out of Melbourne right at the start of the tournament. After the match, Osaka didn’t hide her frustration and disappointment.
Now less than a month later, Osaka is set to play against former world No. 4 Garcia again. Going into their Doha match, the head-to-head between 26-year-old Osaka and 30-year-old Garcia stands at 1-1 as the Japanese got a win over the Frenchwoman when they met for the first time at the 2021 Australian Open.
Osaka, who was beaten in the Doha second round in her lone appearance at the tournament in 2018, is undoubtedly set for a very tough opener in Qatar but it will…
