Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka continued her winning run at the China Open with a 6-3, 6-2 win over the American Katie Volynets. Having kicked off the WTA 1000 event at No 63, Osaka is set to jump to No 58 for the first time since January 2023 after the tournament. She will face a big test next in the round of 16 Coco Gauff.
These two stars started their mission with a fresh start in Beijing. Both of them had just made a new partnership with a new coach. They also had a first appearance after their early loss at the US Open. Osaka and Gauff have played four times previously, each winning twice. Their last meeting was in San Jose in 2022, when Gauff prevailed 6-4, 6-4.
Fresh Start for Osaka Under New Coach
Osaka started the 2024 season outside the top 800 in the rankings after missing the entire 2023 season as she gave birth to her first child. She has struggled for consistency and form since returning to tennis after her maternity leave. China Open is her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman best known for being the long-time former coach of Serena Williams.
After becoming a parent, Osaka’s best results were two quarter-final appearances. Her decision to work together with Mouratoglou came after she lost in the second round of the US Open. Osaka showed glimpses of the talent that has brought her seven WTA titles in a commanding performance against Volynets. With the same quality she had back in 2019, Osaka won the China Open and triumphed at the Australian Open for the first time.
Osaka’s Big Test is Also On Fire
Fourth-seeded Coco Gauff reached the last 16 with a two-set win against the British Katie Boulter. Gauff claimed her 47th hard-court win in the WTA-1000 matches with a 7-5, 6-2 win. The American now has the most wins on the surface before turning 21 and needed just 85 minutes to see off her opponent.
Gauff is also working with a new coach after adding Matt Daly to her team following her split with Brad Gilbert. Daly has linked up with Gauff and her long-term mentor Jean-Christophe Faurel. She decided to start fresh after her defeat to her compatriot Emma Navarro in round four at Flushing Meadow. She has failed to progress beyond the last 16 in any of her last five events.
Osaka Highlighted Her Rival’s Big Strength
Osaka realizes that her meeting with Gauff is going to be a cool test for her. It will be the first meeting between the two Grand Slam champions in more than two years. “I’m excited to play the match, and I know people are excited to watch the match,” she said. The Japanese player claimed that her strongest traits in facing Gauff are being aggressive and having a powerful serve.
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