Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka to face off in a stellar match at the US Open
Former champions Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka will face each other in an exciting fourth-round match at the US Open. Both tennis players secured their place in the round of 16 with contrasting styles, promising an encounter full of excitement. Gauff defeated Magdalena Frech of Poland with a resounding 6-3, 6-1, while Osaka struggled to beat Australian Daria Kasatkina with a score of 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. This victory marks the first time Osaka has reached the fourth round of a major tournament since winning the Australian Open in 2021. This will be their sixth match, and the first at the US Open since 2019, when Osaka defeated Gauff, then 15 years old, with a score of 6-3, 6-0. Gauff took revenge at the Australian Open in 2020. In their most recent encounter, Gauff advanced in Beijing in 2024, when Osaka retired due to injury, leaving the overall record at 3-2 in favor of Gauff. The match is crucial for both players. For Gauff, it represents the opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the third time in four years. For Osaka, it’s the chance to reassert herself in the final stages of a major tournament after becoming a mother.
What Osaka must do to win
Osaka has demonstrated excellent performance in returning serve in this tournament, winning an average of 38% on the first serve and an impressive 73% on the second serve. This could be a problem for Gauff if she misses many first serves, as Osaka will take advantage of any opportunity. Her mobility has improved significantly and her confidence is on the rise. When she is in a position to hit a forehand or backhand, she is very dangerous, dominating in short exchanges. Osaka excels in the attacking game and, if she continues to hit the ball as she has been, she will have many opportunities to dominate the exchanges against Gauff.
Players’ Statements
Gauff on the 2019 US Open match: “I remember it was a difficult moment for me because it was a very publicized match. I guess I put too much pressure on myself, thinking that maybe I had a chance at that moment to do something, which I definitely did, but I think I felt more expectation than I maybe believed. Then, when I played her in Australia, there was more belief than expectation. It would be a cool déjà vu type situation, but hopefully it will be a different result.” Coco GauffOsaka on Gauff: “Can someone come to the match and cheer for me because it’s a bit difficult to play against an American here? I see her as a little sister, so it’s great to play against her here again. Playing against her again after six years, I don’t know if that makes me older, but being at this moment in my life and playing against her again is, honestly, special to me. I’m excited to play against her now, because I feel healthy and I just want to see what happens”.
Naomi Osaka
Although Osaka hasn’t reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam since 2021, this match is shaping up to be a closely contested one. Osaka comes in with confidence after reaching the final in Canada and seems to be regaining the level that led her to win four Grand Slams, while Gauff continues to work on her serve.
Except for their last encounter, where Osaka withdrew due to injury, the player who won the first set has won in the other four matches. Gauff will have the support of the public, but that also generates pressure, while Osaka is playing great tennis, which could start a great rivalry in the coming years. Prediction: Osaka wins in three sets.
