Eva Lys came within a whisker of one of the biggest wins of her career, but ultimately Naomi Osaka's class and experience prevailed in a tightly contested second-round match at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. The German qualifier, ranked No. 87, lost 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 after two hours and 12 minutes, missing the chance to topple a former world No. 1. Despite the defeat, Lys confirmed her recent upturn in form and showed she can compete with elite players.
Osaka, currently ranked 58th and continuing her comeback after maternity leave, had to dig deep to overcome the persistent German. The Japanese star served powerfully early, winning two games without conceding a point, but Lys refused to fold. After falling behind 2-5 in the first set, she clawed back to 4-5 before Osaka eventually closed it out. The second set saw Lys stabilise her serve and capitalise on Osaka's unforced errors, levelling the match with a 6-4 set. In the deciding set, however, Osaka's experience shone as she broke Lys's serve three times, while the German's own serve faltered, allowing Osaka to seal the match on her first match point.
For Lys, 24, the performance was a positive sign after a difficult period. Since suffering a knee injury at the Australian Open in January, she had struggled to regain her top form. Her first-round win over world No. 60 Katie Boulter had been a morale boost, and against Osaka she demonstrated improved movement and shot selection. But the lack of consistent service games in the final set – she did not hold a single serve – proved costly.
Osaka, a four-time major champion, is gradually returning to form after giving birth to her daughter Shai in 2023. She reached the quarterfinals in Doha earlier this year and made the second round in Indian Wells and Miami. In Rome, she has shown glimpses of the power and precision that once made her the top-ranked player, but also remains prone to dips in concentration. Against Lys, she committed 40 unforced errors, but her big serves and clutch play in key moments made the difference.
With Lys out, Laura Siegemund is the only remaining German in the women's draw. The 36-year-old veteran, ranked 87th, faces Jekaterina Alexandrowa later on the same day. Siegemund has a career-high ranking of 27 and is a former US Open mixed doubles champion. Her versatility and experience make her a dangerous floater, but she must overcome Alexandrowa, a powerful Russian who is seeded 16th. Meanwhile, German No. 1 Tatjana Maria (ranked 58) lost in the second round on Thursday, and Tamara Korpatsch (ranked 82) fell in the first round.
Rome, a key clay-court warm-up event ahead of the French Open, often produces surprises. The tournament features a strong field including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and defending champion Elena Rybakina. For Lys, the close loss to a former world No. 1 will provide valuable lessons as she looks to build momentum. She has long been regarded as one of Germany's promising talents, having won several ITF titles and breaking into the top 100 in 2022. Her aggressive baseline game and fighting spirit have drawn comparisons with former German star Andrea Petkovic.
Osaka, meanwhile, continues her quest to return to the top. After a difficult 2023 that included a hiatus and pregnancy, she has shown signs of her old self. Her serve – often her biggest weapon – is becoming more reliable, and her movement is improving. She will face either Victoria Azarenka or a qualifier in the third round, a match that could provide a gauge of her progress. For Osaka, the goal is to be ready for Roland Garros, where she has never advanced past the third round. A strong showing in Rome would boost her confidence.
The match was a competitive encounter that highlighted the depth of women's tennis. Lys, despite the loss, earned praise for her tenacity. In her post-match interview, Osaka acknowledged the German's tough play: "Eva played really well, she made me work for every point. I'm happy I could stay focused and get through." For Lys, the immediate focus will be on the upcoming clay events in Strasbourg or Madrid qualifying, as she aims to climb the rankings and secure direct entry into Grand Slams.
German tennis has seen a resurgence in recent years, with Angelique Kerber's retirement leaving a gap but others stepping up. Siegemund, Maria, Lys, and the younger talents like Nastasja Schunk and Noma Noha Akugue represent a new wave. Lys, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance – she reached the third round of the US Open in 2022 and has wins over top-30 players like Veronika Kudermetova. Her game is well-suited to clay, with heavy topspin and excellent court coverage. Consistency, however, remains an area for improvement.
In Rome, the clay courts are notoriously slow and high-bouncing, rewarding players with strong defensive skills and patience. Lys's style fits that description, and she troubled Osaka by extending rallies and moving her around the court. In the first set, she saved four set points with aggressive returns. The turning point came in the second set when Lys broke Osaka's serve in the eighth game, then held to level. But in the deciding set, a string of double-faults and forehand errors gave Osaka the early lead, and the German could not recover.
Osaka's serve statistics were telling: she fired six aces with only two double faults, while Lys struggled with four double faults and a lower first-serve percentage (58% to Osaka's 67%). The difference was also in the return: Osaka won 50% of points on Lys's second serve, while Lys managed just 38% on Osaka's second serve. These margins decided the match.
Looking at the broader picture, Lys's performance in Rome confirms that she is on the right track. After a tough few months, her fighting spirit remains intact. The German Tennis Federation (DTB) will be pleased with her progress, and her coach Christopher Kas has been working on improving her mental resilience and tactical variety. The losses are painful, but the experience of playing elite opponents on big stages is invaluable.
As for Osaka, her trajectory is upward. She has played only 11 matches this year, but her level is rising. The win over Lys was her first on clay this season, and it came against a solid opponent. If she can maintain her focus and health, she could be a threat in Paris. But first, she must navigate the rest of the Rome draw, which includes a potential quarterfinal against top seed Swiatek.
For the fans, the match was a treat: two different styles clashing, with Lys's tenacity taking center stage. The German crowd – even in Rome – was vocal in their support. After the match, Lys received applause as she left the court. She may have missed the upset, but she certainly left a mark.
Source: MSN News