U.S. Open Day Nine Recap: Osaka Handles Gauff To Reach First Major Quarterfinal Since 2021

Two-time former U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka continued her stellar play this summer by powering her way into the quarterfinals on Monday as she rolled past 2023 champion and third-seeded Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in their fourth round clash. 

“Honestly, I had so much fun out there,” said Osaka. “This is my favorite court in the world, and it means so much to be back here.”

Osaka is back into the quarterfinals of a major for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open, and is looking like she has refound the form that led her to four major titles before she took time off the tour to give birth to her child. 

On Monday, Osaka outplayed Gauff from the start, breaking the American in her opening service game and never looking back. In the rallies that went more than five shots, the 23rd seed won 16 of the 24 of them. 

“I think physically in my head, I know that I’m capable of rallying a lot, so I don’t overplay,” said Osaka. “I kind of am OK with just waiting. Granted, I’m not a defensive player, so it’s not like I’m trying to move side-to-side, but it’s more like the silent confidence of understanding that I don’t need to hit a winner at all times.”

In the quarterfinals, Osaka will play 11th seed Karolina Muchova, who hung on to beat 27th seeded Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-7(0), 6-3. 

Two American women are in the quarterfinals, as fourth-seed Jessica Pegula will take on Barbora Krejcikova, while eighth-seed Amanda Anisimova will meet second-seed Iga Swiatek in a rematch of the Wimbledon final back in July.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to it. At this stage of the game you’re going to play a really tough opponent regardless. So to be able to have a rematch, or to be able to face her again and give myself another chance, I’m really, really happy about that,” Anisimova said. “I feel like it’s going to be a really tough challenge, but I feel like I’ve been playing well. I’m sure it’s going to be a great match, and I hope I can put on a good performance.”

The other quarterfinal on the women’s side will see defending champion and top-seed Aryna Sabalenka play Marketa Vondrousova.