Resurgent Osaka knocks out Aussie in 'wild' match, sets up dream clash with 'little sister' Gauff
Updated . First published at
A resurgent Naomi Osaka proved too strong for Australia's Daria Kasatkina at the US Open as the Japanese superstar advanced to a marquee round of 16 matchup with local favourite Coco Gauff on Sunday (AEST).
15th seed Kasatkina rebounded from a shocking first set to win the second but 23rd seed Osaka played the better tennis when it mattered in her 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 triumph on Louis Armstrong Stadium,
"The beginning, it was really tough for me," Kasatkina told Stan Sport's Duncan McKenzie-McHarg in New York.
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"I didn't feel my best... I was like stressing so much because I was not feeling my body well, like I was completely out of my coordination, you know, I felt like I'm not in my body today. I mean that happens sometimes.
"We're going to play on the big court with the crowd, you know, and especially during the day, it's a bit wild. I kind of couldn't accept that I will lose 6-0, 6-0.
"So that was kind of my motivation at the beginning, you know. I'm like, OK, let's start with one game... and in the third set, someone has to win and she was a better player.
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Naomi Osaka of Japan shakes hands at the net after defeating Daria Kasatkina of Australia. Getty
"Naomi, she levelled her game up, I would say because I don't think I did everything wrong in the third set. She just smacked a few very important balls in the very important points, and this is tennis. But I'm proud of myself that after a really poor first set I was able to come back in the match."
The naturalised Russian's next grand slam will be on her new home courts at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open in January.
She's already a bundle of nerves and excitement.
Daria Kasatkina of Australia in action against Naomi Osaka of Japan. Getty
"I'm going to be so stressed probably because never in my life, you know, I have so much support," Kasatkina said.
"To have a home slam, it's something wild to me, honestly. I didn't think that I will have one in my career but yeah, dreams come true."
Meanwhile, four-time major champion Osaka continued her best grand slam run since 2021.
Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts after defeating Daria Kasatkina of Australia. Getty
Osaka lit up the stadium in broad daylight, turning her clash into a showcase of power and composure.
She dominated early, absorbed a brief second set wobble, and closed out the win to set up a blockbuster showdown with American third seed Gauff.
"Honestly, I was trying to tell myself to stay calm. I was so shaky today but I'm glad that it was an entertaining match," Osaka said.
"Whenever I come here it feels like home and you guys are very involved and I feel grateful, thank you.
"Can someone come to the match and cheer for me?," the 27-year-old added.
"I mean it's kinda tough playing an American here but I hope you guys have adopted me. I kinda see her as a little sister so it's cool to be playing her here."
From the first point, Osaka looked sharp, putting pressure on Kasatkina with an early break gifted to her by a double fault before racing into a 3-0 lead.
Kasatkina's delivery deserted her in the first set with eight double faults and only 25 per cent of first serves landing as Osaka coolly dished out a bagel in 22 minutes.
Kasatkina, however, forced a decider after a scrappy second set riddled with breaks.
Daria Kasatkina. Stan
Errors crept in on both sides, Osaka's frustration surfaced, and Kasatkina steadied enough to seize the lead.
Seven service breaks kept the set on edge before the Russian-born player finally held her nerve to level the match.
Osaka, however, regained her composure in the third.
Nick Kyrgios and Naomi Osaka pose for a photo at a LA Lakers game. Getty
She saved a break point with two blistering winners and surged into a 3-1 lead before closing out the match to stay on course for a third title.
Gauff and Osaka's is a rematch from 2019, when Gauff was a 15-year-old making her main-draw debut at Flushing Meadows and Osaka was the reigning champion.
Osaka won that one in straight sets, then consoled a teary Gauff on the sideline and encouraged her to speak to an Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that was pulling for the young American.
"I kind of see her as a little sister," Osaka said.
"So it's kind of cool to be playing her here again. It's been a really long journey."
Osaka won the US Open in 2018 and 2020 — and has been ranked No.1.
Coco Gauff of the United States against Aryna Sabalenka. Getty
She was among the athletes at the forefront of conversations about mental health, opening up at the 2021 French Open about dealing with anxiety and depression, then taking a series of breaks from the tour.
"Naomi and I, we aren't super close or anything, but we're definitely friendly with each other," Gauff said.
"I support her from afar in all the things that she's done — on and off the court."
Naomi Osaka of Japan talks to the press at Melbourne Park. Getty
Gauff has won three of their four head-to-head matches since that unforgettable night in Ashe.
"I remember it was a tough moment for me, because it was a hyped-up match.. I guess I put way too much pressure on myself, thinking I maybe had a chance in that moment to actually do something, which I definitely did, but I think it was just I felt more expectation than I should than maybe belief," Gauff said.
"It would be a cool, kind of, deja vu type of situation but hopefully it will be a different result."
