"She is kind of the big star of the US Open," Osaka sets the stage for the upcoming clash against Gauff
Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff will face off in the round of 16 at the US Open. Both players eliminated Daria Kasatkina and Magdalena Frech, respectively, in the third round of the New York Grand Slam.
This will be the sixth meeting between the two (3-2 for Gauff), who previously faced each other at Flushing Meadows in 2019. At the time, Osaka, one of the world's top players, managed to dominate the then 15-year-old Gauff in the third round (6-3, 6-0).
In tears after her defeat, the American was later comforted by her opponent on the court. Six years later, the situation is different. Osaka has returned from pregnancy last year, while Gauff now holds two Grand Slam titles and is ranked No. 3 in the world.
Both players are confident, which could lead to a high-level match. The Japanese player, a finalist at the WTA 1000 in Montreal and a two-time US Open champion in her career, is eager to challenge her younger opponent.
"We had a really special moment here that a lot of people remember (referring to their 2019 encounter). So, to me, she is kind of the big star of the US Open, and I haven't played on Arthur Ashe Court yet this year.
It's a combination of all these things. I'm just happy because I feel like all my hard work is paying off. Honestly, the match against Coco (Gauff) that I remember most, probably because it's the most recent, is the one in Beijing (Osaka retired last year).
The outcome was unfortunate for me because I felt like I was playing well. So I'm really looking forward to facing her now because I feel fit and I'm eager to see what happens," Osaka told Tennis Up To Date.
