Former World No. 1 Reaches First WTA 1000 Semifinal Since 2022
In a stunning return to form, Naomi Osaka has powered her way into the semifinals of the Canadian Open in Montreal, her best performance in a WTA 1000 tournament in more than three years. Her dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over 10th seed Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night not only propelled her into the final four but also secured a crucial seeded spot for the upcoming US Open, a major career milestone after stepping away from the sport for over a year. The four-time Grand Slam champion’s resurgent play has generated significant buzz and signals her return to the elite ranks of women’s tennis.
Decisive Victories and a New Coaching Partnership
Osaka’s path to the semifinals has been nothing short of impressive, as she has only dropped one set throughout the tournament. Her quarterfinal match against Svitolina was a masterclass in aggressive, controlled tennis, with Osaka capitalizing on unforced errors and consistently breaking her opponent’s serve. The victory over Svitolina was a continuation of a five-match winning streak, a feat Osaka has not accomplished since 2022. This winning streak coincides with her new coaching partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski, who previously worked with former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. While it’s still early in their collaboration, the partnership appears to be paying immediate dividends. Her game, known for its power and precision, has returned, and she has shown an impressive level of consistency. Prior to her win over Svitolina, Osaka had also navigated her way through a tough field, overcoming challenges from players like Ariana Arseneault and Liudmila Samsonova, a match in which she saved multiple match points.
A Crucial Win and a Look Ahead
For Osaka, the victory over Svitolina was more than just a win; it was a confirmation of her return to the top tier of tennis. Her performance in Montreal has pushed her live WTA ranking into the top 35, guaranteeing her a seeded position at the US Open, a tournament she has won twice. After the match, Osaka expressed her excitement and relief, stating that she had let go of her expectations after a disappointing loss at Wimbledon and found it ironic that her success has returned now. The next challenge for Osaka will be a semifinal matchup against Denmark’s Clara Tauson, who has also been in exceptional form, having defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the quarterfinals. The two players have a history, having faced each other earlier this year in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, a match Osaka was forced to retire from due to an abdominal injury. This upcoming semifinal will be an opportunity for Osaka to avenge that loss and continue her incredible comeback story.
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