In a stunning display of skill and tenacity, former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka triumphed over third-seeded Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the US Open, securing a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2021. In a match that lasted a mere 64 minutes, Osaka dominated with a score of 6-3, 6-2 on the hallowed grounds of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, exhibited near-perfect form, taking advantage of Gauff’s early struggles, especially with her service games. “I was super locked in,” Osaka said after the match. “I just had so much fun out here.” This victory marks a significant return for Osaka, who has faced challenges and setbacks over the past few years.
Her performance was particularly impressive, as she only yielded five double-faults and ended the match with a staggering 85% success rate on her service points. The Japanese player was able to break Gauff twice in the second set and maintained control throughout, committing just 12 unforced errors.
Gauff, currently ranked No. 3 in the world and the reigning French Open champion, struggled to find her rhythm. She recorded 33 unforced errors throughout the match, an unusually high number for the talented American. “It’s disappointing,” Gauff reflected, acknowledging that her performance fell short of her expectations. “I made way too many mistakes, way too many errors.”
The match had a sense of nostalgia, reminding fans of their previous encounter six years ago when a young Gauff faced a resurgent Osaka. The contrast this time was evident, with Gauff bringing higher expectations as the seeded player, while Osaka, returning from her hiatus, sought to reclaim her status in the sport.
With the win, Osaka advances to face Karolina Muchova, the 11th seed from the Czech Republic, who narrowly defeated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in a grueling three-set battle. Muchova overcame a plethora of challenges, including back issues that led her to take a medical timeout during her match. After a competition that lasted two hours and 53 minutes, she emerged victorious with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-7(0), 6-3.
Muchova, a two-time US Open semi-finalist, acknowledged the physical demands of her recent matches but expressed gratitude for the support from the crowd. “It was really tough; I was just trying to fight for every point,” she said, looking ahead to her clash with Osaka.
Both players are now poised for a compelling match-up as they vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals. With their previous encounters split evenly, the anticipation builds for this next round as fans eagerly await what promises to be an enthralling contest.
