Naomi Osaka Beats Coco Gauff in Straight Sets to Reach U.S. Open Quarterfinals
Two-time champion Osaka defeats Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in fourth round at Flushing Meadows; Gauff says she "kind of broke down" after the loss
Naomi Osaka defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Monday, advancing to the quarterfinals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York.
Osaka, a two-time U.S. Open champion (2018, 2020), broke Gauff in the opening game and never relinquished control, holding serve throughout the match and never facing a break point. Gauff finished with 33 unforced errors as Osaka converted momentum into a straight-sets victory on day nine of the tournament.
Osaka, ranked No. 23 in the world, said on court that she was "super locked in" during the match. The Japanese star, who first captured the U.S. Open title in 2018 by defeating Serena Williams and added another in 2020, moved through the draw with a measured combination of serving consistency and aggressive baseline hitting.
Gauff, who had been among the tournament favorites, acknowledged the emotional toll of the loss afterward. She told reporters she "kind of broke down" to her team in the locker room before hearing their perspectives and noting positives from her run. Gauff said her serve had improved over the course of the tournament and that she will look to get "everything to work together" moving forward.
The match marked a clear contrast in error counts and rhythm. Osaka's serve and early break established pressure that Gauff could not overcome, while Gauff's unforced errors accumulated at crucial moments. Osaka's ability to protect her service games without facing a single break point underscored her control of the match.
Monday's result ends Gauff's run at the 2025 U.S. Open and advances Osaka into the final eight in Flushing Meadows. The quarterfinal draw and upcoming opponent will be confirmed as the tournament progresses. Osaka's win keeps her on course for a deep run amid efforts to climb the rankings, while Gauff will regroup after a tournament that included both strong performances and a difficult fourth-round exit.
The U.S. Open continues daily at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where players advance through the late stages of the Grand Slam toward next weekend's semifinals and finals. Osaka's quarterfinal appearance adds another high-profile chapter to a tournament that has featured several headline matches and upsets.