Naomi Osaka continues to impress, as the Japanese star outlines her title-winning credentials in New York.
Announcing her return to the top of the women’s game in Montreal, Osaka qualified for the final of the Canadian Open, losing out to Victoria Mboko in a deciding set.
Returning to action at Flushing Meadows, Osaka made light work of Greet Minnen in her opening match, securing the win in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Producing an even more dominant performance in round two, Osaka defeated Hailey Baptiste, 6-3, 6-1.
Weighing in with his thoughts on the four-time Grand Slam champion’s latest win, Andy Roddick claimed Osaka did something he’d never seen from her before against Baptiste.
Andy Roddick had ‘never seen more focus’ from Naomi Osaka than she showed against Hailey Baptiste
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick’, Roddick gave his verdict on Osaka’s second-round win.
“I have never seen more focus from Naomi Osaka,” he said.
“Every point. She was up 6-3, 5-1, and was still super intense.
“She almost had that Rafa [Nadal] point-to-point mentality.
“She went to the desk afterwards with Chris McKendry and Sloane [Stephens] and was very matter-of-fact.
“Naomi rarely overshares in those types of interviews, but was just saying that the only thing I am really concerned about right now is intensity, and it showed.
“She is playing great.”
Yet to drop a set in New York, Osaka has kept pace with several pre-tournament favorites.
| Player | Nationality | Seed | Sets dropped | Games dropped |
| Mirra Andreeva | Russian | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Emma Raducanu | British | – | 0 | 6 |
| Jessica Pegula | American | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Naomi Osaka | Japanese | 23 | 0 | 11 |
| Aryna Sabalenka | Belarusian | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Iga Swiatek | Polish | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| Coco Gauff | American | 3 | 1 | 24 |
Whether she can go all the way and pick up her third US Open title remains to be seen, but if she can continue to play as well as she has so far, Osaka could become a five-time major champion before too long.
Naomi Osaka’s route to the 2025 US Open title
Defeating two unseeded players in rounds one and two, Osaka will now face tougher opposition from here on.
Assuming the favorites advance, Osaka would have to beat four top-ten seeds en route to the title.
Naomi Osaka’s projected route to the title
- 1R – Defeated Greet Minnen
- 2R – Defeated Hailey Baptiste
- 3R v Daria Kasatkina [15]
- 4R v Coco Gauff [3]
- QF v Amanda Anisimova [8]
- SF v Iga Swiatek [2]
- F v Aryna Sabalenka [1]
Eagle-eyed fans have already noticed a potential fourth-round clash between Osaka and Coco Gauff.
Arthur Ashe Stadium would no doubt welcome two of the greatest players in the women’s game in what would be a mouthwatering last-16 tie.
Osaka and Gauff have played five times on the WTA Tour, with the American edging their head-to-head 3-2.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2024 China Open – 4R | Coco Gauff | Naomi Osaka | 3-6, 6-4 (RET) |
| 2022 San Jose – 2R | Coco Gauff | Naomi Osaka | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2021 Cincinnati Open – 2R | Naomi Osaka | Coco Gauff | 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2020 Australian Open – 3R | Coco Gauff | Naomi Osaka | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2019 US Open – 3R | Naomi Osaka | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 6-0 |
However, when comparing their performances at this year’s US Open, there’s certainly an argument to suggest Osaka would be the favorite to tie their head-to-head at 3-3 should they meet in the fourth round.
Neither player will want to get too far ahead of themselves just yet, as Gauff and Osaka face tricky third-round matches.
Gauff will play Magdalena Frech and Osaka will play Daria Kasatkina on Saturday, August 30.
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