Naomi Osaka has reached a first Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2021 after stunning Coco Gauff at the US Open.
Gauff made a rapid exit from Arthur Ashe Stadium following her defeat to Osaka, who won their match 6-3, 6-2.
Marion Bartoli thinks Osaka is “absolutely back” after her win over third seed Gauff, which arrived in the fourth round of the US Open.
Osaka, who won the hard-court Grand Slam in 2018 and 2020, required just 64 minutes to beat the 2023 champion.
The former WTA number one now meets Karolína Muchova for a semifinal spot, with the Czech ace having just knocked out Marta Kostyuk.
Naomi Osaka reacts on Instagram after knocking Coco Gauff out of the US Open
Muchova has also beaten Sorana Cirstea, compatriot Linda Noskova and legendary figure Venus Williams at this year’s tournament.
Osaka meanwhile has overcome Greet Minnen, Hailey Baptiste, Daria Kasatkina and now Gauff at the hard-court event.
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And she was quick to celebrate her latest win on social media, posting on Instagram: “I had fun, hope you did too.”
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Osaka is clearly enjoying herself, which certainly hasn’t always been the case for the four-time Grand Slam champion this season.
She has suffered a handful of setbacks and disappointing losses, but importantly hasn’t given up on herself.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Australian Open | 3R | 2R | 4R | WON | 3R | WON | 3R | – | 1R | 3R |
| French Open | 3R | 1R | 3R | 3R | – | 2R | 1R | – | 2R | 1R |
| Wimbledon | – | 3R | 3R | 1R | – | – | – | – | 2R | 3R |
| US Open | 3R | 3R | WON | 4R | WON | 3R | 1R | – | 2R |
Osaka deserves huge credit for that alone, but also for continuing her comeback to tennis in simply stunning fashion.
She missed the entire 2023 season on maternity leave, but now looks back to the player she once was amid her superb run in New York.
And while she will be taking things one step at a time, Osaka will be fully aware of her fantastic record at this stage of a Grand Slam.
The former world number one is now into her fifth Grand Slam quarterfinal, having gone on to lift the trophy on all previous four occasions she has reached this stage.
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