Naomi Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 tournament with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over American third seed Coco Gauff. The win, which is Osaka's most impressive since giving birth to her daughter Shai in 2023, marks her first appearance in the last eight of a major since her 2021 Australian Open title.
The highly anticipated fourth-round match between the two fan favorites ended in a one-sided fashion. Osaka played with a calm and patient approach, consistently drawing mistakes from Gauff, who struggled with her forehand. Gauff, who had reshuffled her coaching team just days before her home Grand Slam, was visibly frustrated, with her serve and forehand proving to be inconsistent under pressure.
Following the victory, Osaka shared her thoughts on the significance of the win. "These are the moments that I play tennis for," she said, adding that she has the "most fun when I play against the best players." Gauff, meanwhile, acknowledged her struggles, stating, "I felt so discombobulated on the court," but promised that she would not let the loss "crush" her, expressing her determination to learn from the experience.
This victory is the latest step in Osaka's remarkable comeback journey. After her victory at the 2021 Australian Open, she withdrew from the French Open to address her mental well-being and later took a break from the sport. Following her maternity leave, she has been working to regain her top form. This win on Arthur Ashe Stadium, a court where she won her two US Open titles, is a clear sign that her efforts are paying off.
Osaka will now face Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals. For a player who once said that to "hang up my racket for me permanently would be a very scary thing," this win reaffirms her place among the elite of the sport and signals that she is once again a serious contender for the title. The result also ends a streak for Gauff, who will fail to reach at least one major quarterfinal in a season for the first time since 2019.
