WTA Auckland: Osaka reaches first semi-final since comeback

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, the No 7 seed, is through to the semi-finals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, marking the 27-year-old’s first semi-final on tour since returning to the tour from a maternity break 12 months ago. It is also her first semi-final on tour since the Miami Open in 2022.

Osaka overcame the loss of a close first set to defeat American Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2 and reach the last four at the ASB Tennis Arena on Friday.

The former world No 1 from Japan, currently ranked No 57, will play the winner of the match between No 8 seed Katie Volynets and Alycia Parks for a spot in the final.

“I think the key focuses I had were to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself. I think I put a lot of work in throughout last year. Even though the results didn’t show it, I think just continuing to try as hard as I can and to see where it gets me,” Osaka said in her post-match interview on court. “She’s an amazing player. It sucks that she was injured but I think we played a high-quality match. I’m glad to have played a 3-set match because it’s kind of the experience I need.”

In the previous rounds of the tournament, the Japanese won against Israeli qualifier Lina Glushko (6-4, 6-4) and Austrian Julia Grabher (7-5, 6-3).

Baptiste, ranked No 92, defeated Slovak wildcard Renata Jamrichova (6-0, 6-2) and lucky loser Jodie Burrage (5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (6)).

Auckland WTA 250, other quarter-final results (ASB Tennis Arena, hard, USD 275.094, most recent results first):

• Robin Montgomery beat Bernarda Pera: 6-4, 6-4
• Katie Volynets vs. Alycia Parks
• Madison Keys vs. Clara Tauson

You might also like this

“If I don’t go beyond a certain ranking, I don’t see myself continuing for long” – Osaka

tennis majors

Patrick Mouratoglou: “That is my challenge; to bring Naomi back to her best level”

tennis majors

Osaka gets ’emotional’ talking about Zhang: “When I got on tour, she adopted me in a way”

tennis majors