Osaka Stuns Gauff to Reach US Open Quarter-Finals

Naomi Osaka produced her most notable win since returning to the tour as she knocked out home favourite Coco Gauff to reach the last eight of the US Open in New York, Sport360NG reports.

The two-time champion, seeded 23rd, powered past the American third seed 6-3 6-2 in just over an hour. The victory marked her first Grand Slam quarter-final appearance since winning the 2021 Australian Open.

Osaka Rediscovers Her Spark

Osaka, who became a mother in 2023, showed patience and control throughout, drawing errors from a nervous Gauff whose forehand repeatedly faltered. The result was her most significant win by ranking since she defeated then-world number one Ashleigh Barty in Beijing five years ago.

With a smile and applause for her beaten opponent, Osaka acknowledged the significance of the moment.
“I had so much fun out here,” she said. “Two months after giving birth, I was in the stands watching Coco. To be back playing on my favourite court means everything.”

Next up, Osaka will face Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova, who defeated Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.

Gauff’s Struggles Continue

Gauff arrived at her home Slam under scrutiny after reshuffling her coaching team in a bid to resolve serving issues. She replaced grip specialist Matt Daly with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who previously worked with Aryna Sabalenka.

But the changes failed to settle her game. Her forehand misfired throughout, producing 11 unforced errors in the opening set alone. The pressure mounted further in the second, where a mishit return handed Osaka crucial break points at 3-2.

The 21-year-old looked flustered and frustrated, her backhand also breaking down at key moments. Despite strong support from the partisan crowd, she exited in the fourth round for the second consecutive year.

Local Roots, Shared Respect

Although representing Japan, Osaka grew up in Queens, adding an extra layer of emotion to her return to Flushing Meadows. Both she and Gauff remain admired by fans not only for their tennis but also for their activism on social issues.

The match, billed as one of the highlights of the tournament, turned out more one-sided than anticipated. Still, it underlined Osaka’s resurgence after her break from the sport.

Swiatek Cruises Into Last Eight

In other action, Iga Swiatek extended her Grand Slam winning streak to 11 matches with a commanding 6-3 6-1 victory over Russian 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The Polish second seed wrapped up the contest in just 64 minutes and immediately texted her coach to book extra practice.
“I asked him to find me 10 minutes on court if possible,” she joked after the win.

Chasing a second US Open crown and her second major of the season, Swiatek has now made the quarter-finals or better at all four Grand Slams in a single year for the first time.

She could face American Amanda Anisimova in a rematch of July’s Wimbledon final, where Swiatek claimed a crushing 6-0 6-0 victory. Anisimova meets Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia later on Monday.