Naomi Osaka celebrates after profitable a match in opposition to Coco Gauff within the fourth spherical of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on September 1, 2025, in New York.
| Picture Credit score: AP
The U.S. Open’s Labour Day Monday morning session belonged to the underdogs, as Naomi Osaka and Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered commanding performances that carried them again to Grand Slam quarter-finals after years within the wilderness.
Osaka appeared each bit the four-time main champion whereas dismantling third seed Coco Gauff 6-3 6-2 in simply 64 minutes, reaching her first Flushing Meadows quarter-final in 5 years with a show that blended energy with poise at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I am a bit of delicate. I do not wish to cry. I had a lot enjoyable out right here,” mentioned Osaka, whose smile by no means left her face throughout the dominant victory.
“An enormous thanks to my workforce. We have been by way of rather a lot, it hasn’t been simple however they’ve been by my aspect.”
For Gauff, the defeat marked one other chapter in a difficult post-French Open interval. Regardless of serving higher than she had all event, the American made essential errors from the baseline in areas the place she usually excels.
“At present she was undoubtedly on paper the underdog,” Gauff mentioned of her Twenty third-seeded opponent, acknowledging the upset.
Auger-Aliassime delivered his personal assertion with a composed 7-5 6-3 6-4 victory over fifteenth seed Andrey Rublev, reaching his first main quarter-final for the reason that 2022 Australian Open after battling by way of accidents and confidence struggles.
“At present is my first time enjoying Arthur Ashe in a couple of years. It feels even higher than the primary time,” the twenty fifth seed mentioned.
“In ’21 I used to be on my approach again and had a couple of setbacks and accidents, struggles with confidence. To come back again right here for the second time, it feels higher and extra deserved.”
Iga Swiatek continued her unimaginable season with a scientific 6-3 6-1 dismantling of thirteenth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in simply 64 minutes, the 24-year-old turning into the youngest lady to succeed in quarter-finals of all 4 Grand Slams in a single season since Maria Sharapova in 2005.
Each underdogs credited enhancements of their psychological approaches for his or her breakthrough moments.
Osaka emphasised eager to “be grateful” and have enjoyable in opposition to elite opposition, whereas Auger-Aliassime confused staying “calm-headed in these massive strain moments.”
The Canadian faces eighth seed Alex de Minaur subsequent, whereas Osaka will meet eleventh seed Karolina Muchova as each look to proceed their outstanding New York resurrections.
The night session guarantees extra drama as defending champion Jannik Sinner kicks off play on Arthur Ashe Stadium, aiming to succeed in his eighth consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final when he takes on Twenty third seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan.
The evening concludes with American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova dealing with Brazilian 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Venus Williams capped off a magical day session by advancing with accomplice Leylah Fernandez of their inconceivable doubles run, changing 4 of 5 break factors in a 6-3 6-4 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova and Zhang Shuai on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
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Printed – September 02, 2025 05:21 am IST
