I have deliberately not been writing about Naomi Osaka because I am such a big fan and covered her closely since she came back last year after maternity leave. The comeback had its challenges, but she has played better this summer so I have been afraid of jinxing her. However, she has found her stride at the National Bank Open. I can no longer not write about how good she looks.
She convincingly won her quarterfinal match against a very good and in form Elina Svitolina in straight sets.
That was SUCH an impressive performance from Naomi Osaka.
She’s into the semifinals at the Canadian Open defeating Svitolina 6-2;6-2
With the win i believe she’ll be in contention for seeding at the US Open #OBN25 #NBO25 pic.twitter.com/7zXFNNwRQu
— Myles David (@TunedIntoTennis) August 6, 2025
It all started when she fought off the match points against Liudmila Samsonova in the second round. That comeback seemed to reignite Osaka’s game because she has played on another level ever since.
Wow.
Naomi Osaka comes back from 3-5, saves three consecutive match points (!) at 4-5, then comes back from 2-5 in the tiebreak and defeats Liudmila Samsonova 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 to reach the 3rd round in Toronto.
One of the best and surely most important wins of her season. pic.twitter.com/SXm4iOKkLn
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 30, 2025
In the midst of all of this, Osaka seems to be gaining clarity on who she wants on her team. Many, including me, were surprised when she parted ways with her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. I think Naomi Osaka has gotten to the point in her tennis and personal life that she knows what she wants and is taking charge to get it.
Naomi Osaka Has Already Won Even Before Facing Clara Tauson In Semifinal
Osaka will face another tough test in Clara Tauson in the semifinals. Tauson has played great this year, and specifically at this tournament spurred by the death of her grandfather, she has been motivated to honor him with victories. Her last two wins were against two of the last three Grand Slam champions: Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys. Tauson and Osaka met in the ASB Classic final on January 4. Naomi Osaka was forced to retire from the match with a rib injury at 4-6.
Osaka is 29th in the live rankings, which will put her into seeding range at the US Open. pic.twitter.com/ALV4tVRG3b
— Tennis Updates (@TennisUpdates25) August 6, 2025
Win or lose, Osaka should be in line to be seeded at the US Open, which is a huge step forward and can be extremely helpful with early round matchups.
“I think I’m gonna be seeded at the US Open now,” says a very happy Naomi Osaka.
She warns that her outfit for NY is ‘fire’ pic.twitter.com/zuuLUjMB0X
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) August 6, 2025
