Naomi Osaka Faces Camila Osorio in Thrilling Indian Wells Opener

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is set to make her highly anticipated return to the court on March 6, 2025, facing off against Columbia’s Camila Osorio in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Osaka, who has battled injuries throughout the current season, is looking to bounce back after a series of setbacks, including a retirement at the ASB Classic final and an early exit at the Australian Open. She heads into the match with a 6-2 record for the year and a history of success at Indian Wells, having won the title in 2018.

“I think I’m playing really well, even from last year,” Osaka said, reflecting on her recent performance. “I’ve beaten some really good players. So I hope that I can continue that trend.” The clash with Osorio marks her first competitive match in over a month.

Meanwhile, Osorio, who is currently ranked 53rd, has won four of her seven matches in 2025. Notably, she reached the quarterfinals of the Singapore Tennis Open before falling to Belgium’s Elise Mertens earlier this month. Osorio seeks to sharpen her serve, which has been inconsistent, recording 17 aces but also around 33 double faults this season.

In their previous encounter, Osaka won decisively, defeating Osorio 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the 2022 Australian Open. As the two athletes prepare for their showdown, Osaka enters the match as the clear favorite, given her superior experience and power play.

Dimers’ advanced tennis model projects Osaka has a 79 percent chance of winning the match, based on extensive simulations. “We have simulated the outcome of Wednesday’s Osorio-Osaka match 10,000 times,” said Greg Butyn, a data analyst at Dimers. “With these results, it’s clear that Osaka leads the head-to-head, but Osorio is known for her resilience.”

The first round of the BNP Paribas Open represents a critical opportunity for both players. Osaka aims to demonstrate her readiness to compete at a high level after a lackluster run due to injuries, while Osorio hopes to capitalize on any vulnerability her opponent exhibits. The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM ET and will be broadcast live in various regions.