Sun May 04 13:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Osaka Returns to WTA 125 Action in Saint-Malo, Draws Tough First-Round Opponent
**Saint-Malo, France (April 26, 2024)** – Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is set to make her return to the WTA 125 circuit for the first time in a decade at next week’s L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo. The former world No. 1, currently ranked No. 55, received a wildcard entry into the tournament and will face 19-year-old Croatian Petra Marcinko in her opening match.
Osaka’s appearance follows a first-round exit at the Madrid Open and a lengthy clay-court training block in France. She cited a desire for more consistent match play on a surface she finds challenging as the reason for competing at the WTA 125 level. Her last appearance at this level was in 2015.
The Saint-Malo draw presents a challenging path for Osaka. Projected quarterfinal and semifinal opponents include No. 6 seed Olivia Gadecki and No. 4 seed Caroline Dolehide, respectively. The top half of the draw also features strong contenders such as No. 1 seed McCartney Kessler and No. 7 seed Viktorija Golubic.
Meanwhile, next week’s Vic WTA 125 event boasts another former Grand Slam champion, Bianca Andreescu, who will play No. 4 seed Kimberly Birrell in the first round. Former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez is the top seed in that tournament, which also features the return of Storm Hunter after a year-long absence due to an Achilles injury.
The Saint-Malo tournament, elevated to WTA 125 status in 2021, boasts a strong field including top seed Varvara Gracheva, Americans Caroline Dolehide and Katie Volynets, and former Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria. Past champions include Beatriz Haddad Maia and Sloane Stephens. Main draw play begins on Monday.
First Piper 