Naomi Osaka booked her place in the US Open quarterfinals after a comprehensive win over third seed Coco Gauff. The Japanese marked her first appearance in the last eight of a Grand Slam since the 2021 Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka on Beating Coco Gauff
Osaka played on the Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time at this year’s US Open and got off to a flying start by taking the first set 6-3. The Japanese maintained her momentum in the second set and won it to register a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Speaking after the match, the former World No. 1 recalled watching Gauff compete at the 2023 US Open after giving birth to her daughter, Shai, adding that the Arthur Ashe Stadium was her favorite court in the world.
“I’m a little sensitive and I don’t want to cry but I had so much fun out here. I was in the stands 2 months after I gave birth to my daughter watching Coco.. I really wanted an opportunity to come out here and play. This is my favorite court in the world. It means so much to me to be back here,” Osaka said.
“I wanna say a big thank you to my team. We’ve kinda been through a lot. It hasn’t always been easy. They’ve been by my side. Thank you guys. Love you,” she added.
View this post on Instagram
The 27-year-old also heaped praise on Gauff, claiming that she looks up to the American.
“I look up to her. The way she conducts herself is really special. To be such an amazing role model at such a young age, it’s a gift.. I have all the respect in the world for her,” she said.
Osaka and Gauff’s Head-to-Head Stands at 3-3
Following her victory at the 2025 US Open, the head-to-head between Gauff and Osaka is tied at 3-3. The first meeting between the two came in the third round of the 2019 US Open, with the Japanese beating a then-15-year-old Gauff 6-3, 6-0.
The American then beat Osaka in the third round of the 2020 Australian Open before the Japanese got the better of her in Cincinnati the following year. Gauff won the next two matches they locked horns in before Osaka’s recent win.
The 27-year-old will next lock horns with 11th seed Karolína Muchová in the US Open quarterfinals. The Czech booked her place in the last eight of the New York Major for the third straight year after beating 27th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-7(0), 6-3. Osaka and Muchová will lock horns for the fifth time, with their head-to-head currently tied at 2-2.
