Naomi Osaka looks resolute in her bid to reclaim the Grand Slam success she last tasted at Flushing Meadows in 2020, advancing to the fourth round of the 2025 US Open. The Japanese star kept her pursuit of a fifth Major alive with a hard-fought win over Daria Kasatkina.
Next up is a daunting clash against home favorite Coco Gauff, but Osaka knows how crucial the crowd’s support would be for her.
What Did Naomi Osaka Say to the US Open Crowd Ahead of Coco Gauff Thriller?
At the outset, Osaka looked far too powerful for Kasatkina. The Japanese capitalized on her opponent’s shaky start, as Kasatkina landed just 26% of first serves and piled up eight double faults in the opening set. Osaka raced through it 6-0, laying down a statement of dominance for the remainder of the contest.
However, the Russia-born Australian wasn’t about to let the former World No. 1 cruise through, as she steadied her serve and reeled off three consecutive breaks to surge ahead 4-1 in the second set. Osaka mounted some late resistance, but Kasatkina held firm to close it out 6-4 and force a decider.
The deciding set, however, belonged to Osaka. The four-time Major champion’s rock-solid serve kept her in control throughout, and she sealed the set 6-3 to wrap up the contest in an hour and 44 minutes before a lively Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd.
Osaka has been commanding so far at Flushing Meadows, but the road ahead demands her absolute best as she prepares to face home favorite and No. 3 seed Gauff. Still, the Japanese star seems ready to embrace the test, even calling on the New York crowd for their support when she steps on court against Gauff. Adding a heartfelt touch, she referred to the American as her ‘little sister.’
“I hope, if somebody come to the match and cheer for me? Because, I mean it’s kind of tough playing in American here, but I hope you guys kind of adopted me as well, so. Yeah, I don’t know, I kind of also see her as a little sister, so it’s really cool to be playing her here again,” she said on court.
Naomi Osaka is ready for her Round 4 match against Coco Gauff, who is considers to be a little sister pic.twitter.com/YCueVQPEQN
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2025
Osaka is rekindling the brilliance that made her a four-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1. In fact, reaching the Round of 16 in New York is a milestone she hasn’t touched since her title run in 2020.
What Did Naomi Osaka Say About Her Third-Round Win at the US Open?
Osaka celebrated the victory joyfully, and her post-match on-court interview reflected that emotion. She admitted feeling shaky initially but took pride in delivering an entertaining contest. The Japanese star also lauded the New York crowd, saying their unwavering support makes the US Open feel like home.
“Honestly, I was just trying to tell myself to stay calm. I was so shaky today, but I was really glad that it was an entertaining match. I’m glad that whenever I come here it feels like home, and you guys are really great, so thank you,” she said after the match.
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The road ahead promises to be challenging for Osaka, with Gauff posing quite a challenge. While the American has faced a rough patch since her French Open triumph earlier this year, she remains determined to claim her home Grand Slam.
Adding to Osaka’s task is Gauff’s 3-2 edge in their head-to-head, including a win last year at the China Open when Osaka retired mid-match. With two former US Open champions set to clash, the stage is set for a blockbuster showdown.
