Russian tennis star Diana Schneider has made her preference clear for the next round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The world No. 20, who has advanced to the third round of the prestigious WTA 1000 event in Rome, expressed a strong desire to face Naomi Osaka in her upcoming match.
Schneider's potential opponent will be determined by the outcome of a second-round clash between Japan's Naomi Osaka and Germany's Eva Lys. In a conversation with a correspondent from Чемпионат.com, Schneider was asked which of the two players she would rather face.
"I would really like to play against Naomi," Schneider stated. She highlighted the significance of a potential matchup, noting Osaka's impressive career credentials. "She is a former world No. 1 and a four-time Grand Slam champion. It would be a very interesting match for me."
The Russian player also acknowledged her familiarity with the other possible opponent, Eva Lys. "I have played against Eva before, so I more or less know what to expect from a match with her," Schneider explained. "But I have never even trained with Naomi, never played against her."
The match between Osaka and Lys was delayed due to heavy rain in Rome during Schneider's interview. Schneider commented on the weather disruption, saying she was curious to see when the players would be able to take the court.
Regardless of the outcome, Schneider is preparing thoroughly for her third-round encounter. She emphasized that she will adapt her strategy based on who advances. "I will already be starting from the point of who wins, setting myself up, talking with the coach, and drawing up a game plan," she said.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.