The tennis world was buzzing as Naomi Osaka battled through a thrilling second-round encounter against Liudmila Samsonova at the Canadian Open in Montreal, with Polish coach Tomasz Wiktorowski prominently watching from the stands.
The four-time Grand Slam champion’s dramatic 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 comeback victory gained additional significance as it marked her first win under the watchful eye of her potential new coach.
How Did Naomi Osaka Stage Her Dramatic Comeback Against Liudmila Samsonova?
Osaka’s match against 13th seed Samsonova captured everyone’s attention, showcasing exactly the kind of fighting spirit that Wiktorowski might help develop further. The Japanese star found herself in serious trouble, trailing 6-4, 5-3, and staring down three match points. However, in a display of remarkable resilience, she saved all three match points and forced a second-set tiebreak.
Tomasz Wiktorowski watches Naomi Osaka during her Montreal R2 match against Liudmila Samsonova. pic.twitter.com/AojPNSphwQ
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) July 30, 2025
The tiebreak proved equally dramatic, with Osaka falling behind 5-2 before mounting another comeback. She won the tiebreak 8-6, then carried that momentum into the deciding set for a convincing 6-3 victory. The entire match lasted 2 hours and 37 minutes, with Osaka hitting 8 aces and winning 73% of her first-serve points.
This victory improved her head-to-head record against Samsonova to 3-2, having now won all three of their hard-court meetings.
Currently ranked 49th in the world, Osaka has been seeking consistency since returning from maternity leave in 2024. Her partnership with Wiktorowski represents a fresh start as she prepares for the upcoming US Open, where she has previously won two titles.
The Polish coach’s track record of success, including his work with Agnieszka Radwańska from 2011-2018 and his recent achievements with Świątek, makes him an intriguing choice for Osaka’s comeback campaign.
What Led to Osaka’s Sudden Coaching Change Before Montreal?
Just days before the Canadian Open, Osaka made headlines by parting ways with Patrick Mouratoglou after less than a year together.
The former world number one announced the split on social media, thanking the French coach with a heartfelt message: “Merci Patrick, it was such a great experience learning from you.” This sudden coaching change came after Osaka’s disappointing second-round exit at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she lost to Emma Raducanu.
Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou have ended their coaching partnership:
“Merci Patrick. Wishing you nothing but the best. You are one of the coolest people I’ve ever met and I’m sure I’ll see you around.” ❤️
(via Naomi’s IG) pic.twitter.com/sCVqIQBR4N
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 27, 2025
The timing of Wiktorowski’s arrival in Montreal was no coincidence. The experienced Polish coach, who previously guided Iga Świątek to four Grand Slam titles and helped her dominate the WTA rankings until October 2024, began a trial period with Osaka at the Canadian Open. Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg confirmed the development, reporting that Wiktorowski was “en route to Montreal for a coaching trial for Naomi Osaka.”
