Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka surged into the semifinals of the WTA Canadian Open with a commanding straight-sets victory over Elina Svitolina.
Osaka, who is on a comeback trail following her maternity break, looked sharp and aggressive throughout the quarterfinal clash.
She cruised past the Ukrainian 6-2, 6-2 in just under one hour and ten minutes to book her spot in the final four.
She broke Svitolina early in the first set, establishing a 3-1 lead and maintaining her momentum to close the set in 38 minutes. In the second set, she continued her dominance, capitalising on errors from Svitolina and sealing the match when the Ukrainian sent a forehand wide.
“I’m just having a lot of fun playing. I’m glad to be here,” Osaka said after her win.
“I think I’ll be seeded in the US Open because I won my match. That was a really good goal for me. I’m just really excited.”
The victory sets up a semifinal clash with Denmark’s Clara Tauson, the 16th seed, who produced a stunning 6-1, 6-4 win over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys. Tauson’s triumph was particularly emotional as she dedicated the victory to her late grandfather.
“Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away so I really wanted to win for him today,” a tearful Tauson said.
“I was told the day after I beat Iga so I really wanted to come out and show my best tennis for him. Hopefully he’s watching.”
Tauson, 22, has enjoyed a breakthrough run in Montreal, defeating two top-10 opponents, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and Keys, en route to the semifinals.
She dominated the first set against Keys, breaking in the fourth and sixth games. Keys’ double fault at the start of the second set handed Tauson another break, and the Dane kept her composure to secure the match.
At the US Open hard court tune-up event, Osaka is chasing her first WTA-level title since returning from maternity leave. Her last non-Grand Slam title came at the 2019 China Open. A win in Montreal would mark her eighth WTA career title.
Osaka is also relishing the opportunity to face Tauson, recalling their only previous meeting.
“She’s really tough. I played her in Auckland this year. I had to stop halfway because I was injured. So I’m really excited that I’m healthy,” Osaka said.
Tauson, meanwhile, is one win away from her second career WTA 1000 final, having reached her first in February in Dubai, where she finished runner-up to Mirra Andreeva. A fourth career title is within reach for the Dane, who previously lifted trophies at Lyon and Luxembourg in 2021, and at Auckland earlier this year.
With both players in peak form and brimming with confidence, their semifinal clash promises to be one of the most thrilling encounters of the tournament.
