Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff met in the round of 16 at Arthur Ashe Stadium Labor Day Monday. The last time these two former US Open champions faced off in New York was in a third-round match on this same stage six years ago. And history repeated itself as the No. 23 seed Osaka again got the best of No. 3 seed Gauff, defeating the 2023 US Open women’s singles champion in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in the packed venue.
Gauff appeared emotional and Osaka capitalized on issues with Gauff’s serve, double-faults, and unforced errors to control the match. Osaka moved on to her fifth Grand Slam quarterfinal, where she has gone on to win in her previous four trips. It was also the first time the four-time Grand Slam champion, which includes the 2018 and 2020 US Open, has advanced to the quarterfinals since the 2021 Australian Open — the last of her four major titles.
“This is kind of uncharted territory at this point of my career,” said Osaka. “I’m just enjoying it. I’m having fun. I’m able to play against the best players in the world.” The 27-year-old daughter of a Haitian-American father and Japanese mother was born in Osaka, Japan and when she was four moved to Elmont, New York (Long Island) with her parents where they lived with her paternal grandparents.
As for Gauff, she looked at the loss as an emotional learning experience and a step to major wins in the future.
“After the match, I was really disappointed. Kind of broke down to my team,” Gauff said. “Then, hearing their perspectives and everything, it definitely is a lot of positive things.”
This was more than just another step toward a title, and more than a clash between two world-class athletes. It was a stage where dreams collided, and where the world witnessed a dazzling display of Black Girl Magic that has defined this year’s U.S. Open. From Venus Williams’ return to singles competition and her spirited doubles run with Leylah Fernandez — ended by No. 1 seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova — to Townsend’s own strong showing in singles before falling in the fourth round to two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova, Black women remain front and center. Their presence carries forward the spirit of the late Althea Gibson, the trailblazer who broke tennis’ color barrier 75 years ago (French Open 1956) and was honored at the tournament’s start.
The resilience, innate beauty, strength, and accomplishments of Black women and girls, and the power of representation, has been felt throughout the tournament and continues to dazzle.