Naomi Osaka is about to be back to competitions after more than 4 months as she will take on her childhood idol Serena Williams in Adelaide’s Day at the Drive exhibition (29th of January).
Naomi had the privilege of having a softer quarantine in South Australia with some other top players to get to the best possible preparation for the upcoming Australian Open. Naomi and Serena will share the court in the afternoon session soon after the match between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner that will play at 1 pm. Venus Williams will play against Irina-Camelia Begu after Serena and Naomi.
In the afternoon, Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep will play another high-level match after Rafal Nadal takes on Dominic Thiem (7.00pm).
Order of play at Friday's exhibition in Adelaide:
1:00 pm
Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner
Serena Williams v Naomi Osaka
Venus Williams v Irina-Camelia Begu7:00 pm
Rafael Nadal v Dominic Thiem
Ashleigh Barty v Simona Halep— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 26, 2021
H2H Naomi Osaka vs. Serena Wiliams
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams squared off 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka. Previously, the last time when they locked horns, Serena Williams won 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019.
Naomi Osaka in 2021
At the moment ranked no.3, Naomi played her last match on the 12th of September 2020 when she overcame Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
Serena Williams in 2021
Currently the world no.11, the American played her last match on the 28th of September 2020 when she beat Kristie Ahn 7-6(2) 6-0 in the 1st round of the French Open (draw).
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
H2H Ashleigh Barty vs. Simona Halep
Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep played each other 4 times. The head to head is 3-1 for Halep. Previously, the last time when they competed against each other, Simona Halep won 7-5 7-5 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2019.
Ashleigh Barty in 2021
Now ranked no.1, the Australian played her last match on the 28th of February 2020 when she lost to Petra Kvitova 6-4 2-6 6-4 in the semifinal in Doha (draw).
Simona Halep in 2021
Now ranked no.2, Halep played her last match on the 4th of October 2020 when she lost to Iga Swiatek 6-1 6-2 in the 4th round of the French Open (draw).
