Naomi Osaka recently shared her thoughts on her upcoming semifinal match against Clara Tauson at the 2025 Canadian Open. This encounter will mark the second meeting between the two players on the WTA Tour, following their maiden clash in the final of the 2025 ASB Classic.
In that championship match in Auckland, Osaka started strong, winning the first set 6-4 against Tauson. Unfortunately, the former World No. 1 was forced to retire before the second set due to an abdominal injury, with the score at 6-4, 0-0 retd. This unexpected turn of events awarded Tauson the win and her third career WTA Tour title.
What Did Naomi Osaka Say About Facing Clara Tauson at the 2025 Canadian Open Semifinal?
At the 2025 Canadian Open, Osaka began her run with a straight-sets victory over qualifier Ariana Arseneault, winning 6-4, 6-2 in the first round. She triumphed over 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 in the second round.
The four-time Grand Slam champion continued with her winning form, defeating 22nd seed Jeļena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4, before dominating Anastasija Sevastova with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. Osaka secured her place in the semifinals against Tauson by overcoming 10th seed Elina Svitolina with a score of 6-2, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.
During the post-match on-court interview following her victory over Svitolina, Osaka spoke about facing Tauson in the final four. She described the Dane as a formidable opponent and expressed her excitement about the upcoming match. She noted that she feels healthy this time, unlike her condition at the ASB Classic earlier in 2025.
“She’s really tough. I played her in Auckland this year, and I had to stop halfway because I was injured. So, I’m really excited that I’m healthy, and I hope that it’s a good match for everyone that comes and watches,” Osaka said.
In the post-match press conference, the former World No. 1 noted that Tauson has an unconventional playing style and mentioned that it would be interesting to compete against her in the semifinals of the WTA 1000 hard court tournament in Montreal.
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“Honestly, I remember feeling like she was a little unconventional. I don’t remember why exactly I felt that way, but I think she had a really interesting game. I did watch her play Keys a little bit, but I was, like, warming up and stuff. I’ll be curious to see what happens,” she added.
How Did Tauson Reach the Semifinals?
Tauson is seeded 16th at the 2025 Canadian Open and began her campaign in the second round after receiving a first-round bye. She defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-2, Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3, 6-0, and second seed Iga Świątek 7-6(1), 6-3 in the second, third, and fourth rounds, respectively.
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In the quarterfinals, the 22-year-old secured a 6-1, 6-4 victory over sixth seed Madison Keys to advance to the semifinals against Osaka. The winner of this match will advance to take on either ninth seed Elena Rybakina or Wild Card Victoria Mboko in the final.
