Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka defeats Coco Gauff in straight sets, while Iga Swiatek surpasses Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Naomi Osaka showcased dominance and ousted third seed Coco Gauff 6-3 6-2 in an eagerly awaited fourth-round match between two former U.S. Open champions.
Following years of disappointment at the year’s final major, Osaka demonstrated her brilliance by taking early control in the match, while 2023 champion Gauff faced challenges with her forehand and serve.
The triumph propelled Osaka into the Flushing Meadows quarterfinals for the first time in five years; she will next face Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova.
“My main focus is to smile and enjoy myself during this tournament,” said the four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who triumphed in New York in 2018 and 2020 but had failed to advance past the third round in her previous three attempts.
“I genuinely have the most fun when I play against the best players.”
The follow-up showdown between the two fan favorites marked their first meeting in New York since their memorable 2019 clash when 15-year-old Gauff lost to Osaka.
Fans witnessed an intense silence as the two competitor began their match, with Osaka breaking Gauff from the baseline in the opening game of a superbly contested first set.
Gauff, who has invested months in rebuilding her serve, was again plagued by it as she committed a double fault on set point—one of five during the match.
Frustration mounted for the American, who gifted Osaka another break point with an unforced error in the sixth game of the second set and vented her anger towards her support team during the final game.
After Gauff’s defeat, marked by a shot into the net on match point, the two competitors shared a brief embrace at the net. Interestingly, Osaka smiled but held back tears.
“I’m quite sensitive. I don’t want to cry. I have so much fun out here,” said Osaka.
“A big thank you to my team. We’ve been through a lot; it hasn’t been easy but they have been by my side.”
Osaka’s comeback built on belief
Naomi Osaka has consistently advanced to the final stages of major tournaments, and she will look to maintain her impressive record in New York.
She clinched her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2021 Australian Open before stepping back to safeguard her mental wellbeing amid personal battles with depression.
The Japanese star missed Wimbledon and the subsequent U.S. Open, where she exited in tears following an unexpected third-round loss and announced a break from the sport. She also took a maternity break for the entirety of the 2023 season.
After failing to progress beyond the third round in her first seven slams post-maternity, Osaka appeared to regain her form, advancing to the Montreal final last month.
Her collaboration with new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski seems to be bearing fruit, and Osaka affirmed that she never doubted her ability to return to this level in major tournaments.
“You must imagine it, then believe it, for it to become a reality,” she said after unveiling yet another bejeweled Labubu charm she named “Althea Glitterson,” in honor of the late pioneer Gibson.
Despite her challenges, Osaka showed no inclination towards retiring from the sport permanently.
“To disband with my racket permanently would be quite frightening. It’s as essential to me as breathing,” she added.
Swiatek cruises into quarters
Iga Swiatek made short work of Russian 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, winning 6-3 6-1 and securing her spot in the New York quarterfinals.
The 24-year-old’s dominant victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium not only advanced her to the last eight but also made her the youngest woman to achieve this feat in all four Grand Slams in a single season since Maria Sharapova in 2005.
Post-match, an intensely focused Swiatek was seen sending a message to her coach Wim Fissette, asking him to reserve a practice court for a brief session.
“I would say the intensity and focus were key. Initially, I felt she played fast and the court conditions were different. I sought to find my rhythm afterward and was in my zone,” Swiatek shared.
“I compelled the ball to remain in play. I’m happy with the quality,” she added.
The Polish second seed will now face Amanda Anisimova in a repeat of the Wimbledon final, which Swiatek won 6-0, 6-0.
