Archive of posts tagged WTA Awards

Montreal: Naomi Osaka annihilates Elina Svitolina for first WTA 1000 SF since 2022

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Auckland

Naomi Osaka has been through to her first WTA 1000 semifinal since the 2022 Miami Open after annihilating No. 10 seed Elina Svitolina 6-2 6-2 in Montreal.

Through her opening three matches at the Canadian Open, Svitolina was purely dominant as she didn't drop a set. However, the Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion had a clear game plan and executed it to perfection.

In the first set, Osaka managed to three times break her rival. With two additional breaks in the second set, the former world No. 1 completed her routine straight-set win.

Once again, the Japanese's serve worked exceptionally – she faced break points only in the seventh game of the first set and suffered her lone break of the match in that game. 

For a place in the Montreal final, Osaka will battle against No. 16 seed Clara Tauson, who beat Madison Keys.

Osaka's reaction to beating Svitolina

In her presser, the current world No. 49 was asked how she managed to tame in-form Svitolina.

"I mean, I never really care about the stats of the person I'm playing. I know that everyone is really tough. I mean, I'm fortunate. I played her a couple of times before, and I know that she's one of the best fighters on tour, so I was just expecting a tough match," the Japanese said.

Now, Osaka is set for a second meeting versus Tauson. Earlier this year, the former world No. 1 won the first set of their Auckland final before retiring due to an injury. The 27-year-old was asked whether something stood out about the Dane's game from their first encounter.

"Honestly, I remember feeling like she was a little unconventional. I don't remember why exactly I felt that way, but I think she had a really interesting game. I did watch her play Keys a little bit, but I was, like, warming up and stuff. I'll be curious to see what happens," Osaka recalled.

Naomi Osaka mentions Serena Williams when addressing her 'biggest weapon'

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BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year

Naomi Osaka mentioned Serena Williams when asked about her powerful first serve as the Japanese suggested that seeing how the American tennis icon served even in tense moments helped her always believe that her own serve would be there for her.

On Sunday, the Japanese delivered a masterpiece performance and annihilated former world No. 11 Anastasija Sevastova 6-1 6-0 in the Montreal round-of-16.

From start to finish, it was all Osaka. One of the things that stood was the four-time Grand Slam champion's serve as she fired five aces – zero double faults – won 72 percent of her first serve points – faced three break points across two separate games but saved them all.

Overall, it has been an outstanding week for Osaka in Montreal, who has dropped just one set in four matches played. Her serve has been a major factor behind her promising run at the Canadian WTA 1000 tournament.

Osaka asked how it is possible that she 'never loses her first serve' and that it always remains her 'biggest weapon

The 27-year-old responded: "I don't know. I think for me I just grew up in an era of watching Serena, and she would be down Love 40 and hit four aces. I still think about that sometimes when I play. I also feel like it doesn't have to be an ace. I just have to hit a really good serve and see what happens, because off the baseline, I still think I'm one of the better players, so…"

Per the WTA website, Osaka has fired 200 aces so far in 2025 – won 74 percent of her first serve points – and owns a 78.7 percent when it comes to holding her own serve. 

Considering that Osaka plays next against Svitolina in Montreal, there is no doubt that the four-time Grand Slam winner will need her serve to click exceptionally.

Serena Williams' childhood coach has sage advice for struggling Naomi Osaka

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Ariana Arseneault

Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci still believes in Naomi Osaka but highlights to the former world No. 1 that she must find the right guidance and fix some technical stuff in her game.

On Sunday – just a day before her scheduled Montreal first-round match against Ariana Arseneault – the Japanese tennis player decided to end her partnership with coach Patrick Mouratoglou. While the Frenchman is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the game, he didn't manage to help the current world No. 49 rediscover her form that was once making her a Grand Slam contender and champion. 

While Osaka and Mouratoglou had some positive moments and flashes – like when the Japanese reached the final at the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland and also won the WTA 125 (Challenger) tournament in Saint-Malo – overall their tenure didn't go as expected. This year, the four-time Grand Slam champion is only 21-12 and sits ranked just inside the top-50.

Macci: Osaka's split step and anticipation are not there… She can flip the script with the right choice

"Winning/losing is a fine line. Naomi can flip the script with the right choice and what she 100% needs and a proven voice. Her split step is way off and overall anticipation is on vacation. This can be corrected if it is explained in detail and no doubt her confidence will not bail," the 70-year-old coach wrote on X.

Osaka has now changed two coaches since starting her post-pregnancy comeback in 2024 January. In late 2023, she returned Wim Fissette to her team – the same coach with whom she won multiple Grand Slams in the past. Their partnership ended last September. 

It will be interesting to see what Osaka will search in a new coach and who it will be. 

Wimbledon | Anisimova upsets Sabalenka to reach final

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Amanda Anisimova, the 13th seed, produced the biggest upset of The Championships, taking out the World No 1, Aryna Sabalenka, to reach her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon on Thursday, stunning the Belarusian, 6-4 4-6 6-4, in 31C temperatures on the Centre Court.

The post Wimbledon | Anisimova upsets Sabalenka to reach final appeared first on Tennis Threads Magazine.