Naomi Osaka Shuts Down Coco Gauff in Straight Sets
Naomi Osaka took a big victory on the big stage. The four-time Grand Slam champ took down Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in Arthur Ashe Stadium, locking in her first major quarterfinal since 2021. Fans of the sport and culture remember that this is the same Naomi who’s always been honest about her struggles, from mental health battles to maternity leave. Now, she’s showing up with a new fire.
As the No. 23 seed, Osaka outplayed the No. 3 seed Gauff. The 21-year-old rising star couldn’t find her rhythm and stacked up 33 unforced errors compared to Osaka’s 12. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
“I was super locked in, to be honest. I was really locked in,” Osaka said after her win. “I felt like everyone wanted to watch a really great match, and I hope that’s what you got.”
For readers who follow tennis stories, check out our coverage on Serena Williams’ legacy that connects to Osaka’s inspiring journey.
A True Comeback Story for Naomi Osaka
This win was deeper than just numbers on the scoreboard. Osaka’s been out the game since giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. After a 17-month break, she stepped back into the sport with her mind, body, and energy realigned.
“I’m a little sensitive and I don’t want to cry, but honestly, I just had so much fun out here,” Osaka said, reflecting on her comeback. She also spoke about watching Coco play just two months after giving birth: “I just really wanted an opportunity to come out here and play. This is my favorite court in the world, and it means so much for me to be back here.”
Her confidence and composure on the court reflected the Osaka fans fell in love with back in 2018 and 2020 when she lifted her U.S. Open trophies. Add her Australian Open wins in 2019 and 2021, and you see a woman who’s always been dominant on hard courts.
Coco Gauff Struggles to Keep Up
Gauff came in as the higher seed, but nerves and errors took her out of the game early. She was broken in her first service game and fell behind 2-0 in just minutes. Despite trying to reset with help from biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, she couldn’t stop the bleeding.
Her serve had heat, with four straight over 110 mph, but her unforced errors stacked up too quickly. Osaka kept exploiting Gauff’s weaker shots, hitting her with forehand winners that shut the door on any momentum.
By the end of the first set, Gauff had 16 unforced errors compared to Osaka’s five. It set the tone for the rest of the match.
What’s Next for Naomi Osaka
This is Osaka’s first time reaching a Slam quarterfinal since her 2021 Australian Open title. For her, this means stepping back into the spotlight and proving to herself, her fans, and the game that she’s still a force.
Osaka’s journey hasn’t been easy. From her mental health battles that took her out of the French Open in 2021 to navigating life as a new mom, she’s shown resilience that inspires millions. Now, every match feels like part of her redemption arc.
With her return to form, fans are already buzzing about whether she can add a fifth major to her resume.