During her illustrious tennis career, Serena Williams has had many notable rivalries. From her elder sister, Venus Williams, to the likes of Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki, Serena has often come out on top in these rivalries. One such rivalry is with the Japanese star, Naomi Osaka.

Osaka is one of the few players to have a superior head-to-head record against Serena. Of the four matches between them, the American legend has managed to win just a single match. Further, their first meeting was in Miami in 2018, where Osaka triumphed over Serena in straight sets.

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka might face each other in Toronto

The draw for the National Bank Open in Toronto has provided some interesting matchups. One such potential battle will be between Serena and Osaka. The two might potentially lock horns against each other in the third round of the tournament.

It will be Serena’s first tournament after her disappointing Wimbledon campaign. Making her singles comeback at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament after a lengthy injury layoff, Serena lost in the first round of the tournament against France’s Harmony Tan. However, the American legend will be determined to put on a good show in the upcoming hard-court tournaments.

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Further, one of the notable encounters between Serena and Osaka was at the US Open in 2018. The two faced each other in the summit clash of the tournament. The American legend went down fighting in an ill-tempered clash to hand Osaka her maiden Grand Slam title.

Analyzing Serena’s draw at the National Bank Open

In the first round of the tournament, Serena will face the lucky loser, Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain. Subsequently, if she moves past the first round, the former World Number 1 might potentially face Belinda Bencic.

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Further, a potential battle against Osaka will await Serena in the third round. The younger Williams sister is drawn in the same quarter as World Number 1, Iga Swiatek. Considering the tough nature of the draw, if the 23-time Grand Slam champ can go past the first few rounds to meet the current world no.1, it would be the perfect way to prepare for the US Open. Serena will play her first-round match later today.