MONTREAL, CANADA – Naomi Osaka defeated Elina Svitolina in straight sets to reach the Canadian Open semifinals. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka is two wins away from her first WTA Tour title in four years after reaching the Canadian Open semifinals with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Elina Svitolina on Tuesday night.
Osaka, who last won a WTA Tour title at the Australian Open in 2021, saved four of the five break points she faced against the 10th seed, wrapping up the quarterfinal in just one hour and eight minutes.
It was Osaka’s fifth win over Svitolina in their eight meetings, and with the victory, the 27-year-old also reached the Canadian Open semifinals for the first time in her career.
“I think for me, I’m just having a lot of fun playing and I’m really glad to be here,” Osaka said post-match in Montreal. “Someone told me it’s been seven years [since I’ve played here in Montreal]
, so I just want to thank you guys for having me.”
Wednesday night’s match will be Osaka’s sixth WTA 1000 semifinal and her first since Miami in 2022.
For a place in the final, Osaka will face Danish 16th seed Clara Tauson, who stunned Australian Open champion and sixth seed Madison Keys 6-1, 6-4 in her quarterfinal.
It was the 22-year-old Tauson’s second consecutive win over a top-10 opponent, having knocked out second seed and six-time major champion Iga Swiatek in the round of 16.
Osaka and Tauson have met only once before – at the ASB Classic final in Auckland in January, where the Japanese player was forced to retire due to an abdominal injury after winning the opening set 6-4.
“She’s really tough,” Osaka said of Tauson. “I played her in Auckland this year and I had to stop halfway because I was injured. So, I’m really excited that I’m healthy and I hope that it’s a good match for everyone that comes and watches.”
“I think I’ll be seeded in the U.S. Open because I won my match. That was a really good goal for me. I’m just really excited. If anyone tunes in, my outfit is super fire.”
The winner of the Osaka vs Tauson match – scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Tennis Channel – will face either former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or 18-year-old Canadian phenom Victoria Mboko.
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