Osaka set for rematch with Anisimova at Roland Garros

Naomi Osaka will make her return to the French Open next week, where she will face a tough test against the player who beat her at the Australian Open, Amanda Anisimova.

They were paired in the bracket during Thursday’s draw at Roland Garros for the clay-court major tennis tournament. Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion who used to be No. 1 in the rankings but has slipped to No. 38 in part because of a lack of activity. That included time off for a mental health break after she withdrew from Roland Garros ahead of her second-round match last year, revealing that she has dealt with anxiety and depression.

Because she is not seeded at the French Open, where play begins Sunday, she was not safe from facing a seeded opponent right away, so that’s what will happen against No. 27 Anisimova.

The American prevailed 4-6 6-3 7-6(5) in their third-round encounter at Melbourne Park in January. Furthermore, Anisimova has shown great form on clay this season, reaching at least the quarterfinals in her last three tournaments (Charleston, Madrid and Rome).