Naomi Osaka praised for doing something which is just like Roger Federer as she wins again in Canada

Naomi Osaka is having an excellent run at the WTA Canadian Open.

After saving two match points to beat Liudmila Samsonova in the second round, her level of play has continued to increase.

She dispatched Jelena Ostapenko in round three, and Osaka dropped one game against Anastasija Sevastova in the last 16.

Osaka is now into the semifinals in Montreal after beating Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-2, and it will take a special performance to slow her down.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesSerena Williams’ former coach says Naomi Osaka is ripping her forehand like Roger Federer

The Canadian Open marks Osaka’s first semifinal since the ASB Classic in January.

The 27-year-old has struggled in close matches this season, losing six in a row at WTA level before beating Samsonova in Montreal.

Osaka seems to be playing with a greater sense of freedom and happiness, which has been reflected in the results she has produced over the past week. The former world number one is moving better and playing more aggressively.

Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci has highlighted three things Osaka has started doing in a similar way to Roger Federer.

“Osaka is competing better and ripping the forehand like Federer. She has more belief and that triggers a big relief,” Macci wrote on social media platform X.

“With the long overdue coaching change she has found that explosive Naomi range. She is fighting till the end and is heading towards the top ten.”

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesNaomi Osaka reaches first WTA 1000 semifinal since the 2022 Miami Open

Osaka has failed to make an impression at the big events since returning from maternity leave in 2024.

But the 2025 Canadian Open has helped Osaka return to her best level and she is now just two wins away from claiming the title.

She is into her first WTA 1000 semifinal since the 2022 Miami Open, where she faced Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.

Bencic took the first set, but Osaka came roaring back to claim a three-set victory and advance to the final.

Osaka lost to Swiatek in the final, but she will aim to win her semi-final in Montreal and go one step further and win her first title since 2021.