Published On 2 Sep 20252 Sep 2025Naomi Osaka produced a commanding performance to knock out the third-seeded Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in a highly anticipated fourth-round showdown between two former US Open champions.After years of bitter disappointment at the year’s final tennis major, Osaka showed flashes of her old brilliance on Monday as she took control of the match from the start, while 2023 champion Gauff struggled with her forehand and serve.The result carried Osaka into the Flushing Meadows quarterfinals for the first time in five years. She will next play Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova.“The main thing I want to take away from this tournament is just smiling and having fun,” said the four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, who triumphed in New York in 2018 and 2020, but failed to advance past the third round in her last three attempts.“For me, honestly, I have the most fun when I play against the best players.”Monday’s showdown marked the first time that the two fan favourites met in New York since their memorable 2019 tussle when the then-15-year-old Gauff lost to Osaka.The fans, who had kept on chattering through the earlier match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, fell silent as the two began their battle, with Osaka breaking Gauff from the baseline in the first game in a superb first set.Gauff has spent many months trying to rebuild her serve, and was let down by it yet again as she produce …
