WTA Gippsland Trophy 2021: Naomi Osaka vs Irina-Camelia Begu – Preview, Head to head & Prediction

WTA Gippsland Trophy 2021: Naomi Osaka vs Irina-Camelia Begu – Preview, Head to head & Prediction
Naomi Osaka vs Irina-Camelia Begu

World No.3, Naomi Osaka will lock horns with the Romanian veteran Irina-Camelia Begu in the quarter-final of the 2021 WTA Gippsland Trophy on Thursday, February 4.

Match details

  • Fixture: Naomi Osaka vs Irina-Camelia Begu
  • Date: February 4th, 2021
  • Tournament: Gippsland Trophy 2021
  • Round: Quarter-final
  • Venue: Melbourne, Australia
  • Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
  • Prize money: $565,530

Naomi Osaka vs Irina-Camelia Begu: Match Preview

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka is back to her winning self, as if completely unperturbed by the pandemic lockdown. Competing in her first WTA event since winning the US Open last year, Osaka started in Melbourne as the No.2 seed. In the opening round, she took care of Alize Cornet in a comfortable 6-2 6-2 victory. Next, she met Katie Boulter and admittedly, had some problems against the Brit however, owing to Osaka’s sheer skill and experience, the Japanese got through to the quarter-final.

Irina-Camelia Begu reached her first quarterfinal of a WTA 500 event in what seems like forever. Her majority of the season last year was spent struggling to move past the early rounds, but this time, things are looking different. Begu first defeated Saisai Zheng in three sets to move to the second round. There, she defeated Bernarda Pera in straight sets to set up a clash with the British No.1, Johanna Konta which proved to be one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament as it lasted over three hours.

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Naomi Osaka vs Irina-Camelia Begu: Head to head

Irina-Camelia Begu

This is the first meeting between the two players on the WTA Tour. Their current head-to-head stands at a 0-0 deadlock.

Naomi Osaka vs Irina-Camelia Begu: Match Prediction

Naomi Osaka

Although 2020 only saw Osaka win the US Open, but she was also the runner-up in the preceding Cincinnati Open and with 3 Majors under her belt, the World No.3 is definitely a top favorite to win this contest as well as the tournament.

The Romanian is one of those players on the tour who spends their time alternating between the doubles and the singles circuit. While she is prominently a player in the former, she has seen her fair share of action in the latter too. It is definitely an incredible accomplishment by the Romanian to go past the British No.1, Konta who has also defeated other top 10 players in the past like Caroline Wozniacki, Karolina Pliskova, Angelique Kerber among others.

A win here for Osaka is expected but Begu will not make it easy. She seems determined and resilient, something that Osaka will need to watch out for. All in all, it should make for an entertaining affair.

Match Prediction: Naomi Osaka in straight sets.

Also Read: WTA Gippsland Trophy 2021: Elina Svitolina vs Elise Mertens – Preview, Head to head, Prediction