Naomi Osaka has just delivered one of her best displays since starting her post-pregnancy comeback in 2024 as the former world No. 1 needed just 49 minutes to destroy Anastasija Sevastova 6-1 6-0 in the Montreal round-of-16.
Through the opening two games of the match, the two players were tied to one game apiece. From that moment on, there was only one player on the court - and it was the Japanese - who impressively took the next 11 games without basically giving any chance to the former world No. 11.
For Osaka, this is her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the year. Also, this is the first time since Auckland that the four-time Grand Slam champion has managed to win four matches in a single tournament at the main level - note, the Japanese also had five consecutive wins in May at the WTA 125 (Challenger) tournament in Saint-Malo.
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Now, the 27-year-old awaits the winner of the match between No. 5 seed Amanda Anisimova and Elina Svitolina.
Osaka is looking rejuvenated in Montreal
After losing in the Washington round-of-16, Osaka made a big move and decided to say goodbye to coach Patrick Mouratoglou. But she is not alone in Montreal after quickly agreeing on a collaboration with Iga Swiatek's former long-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski. So far, their debut has been nothing short of outstanding.
I think with personality, I was a little nervous because he seems a little stern but hes actually kind of funny. Hell randomly say a joke that I wasnt expecting or something like that. I like him a lot. I know that weve only played two matches, but he seems very decisive with what he wants. And I think that that makes it very clear for me," Osaka said of Wiktorowski a few days ago.
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Osaka won't have an easy job in the Montreal quarterfinal whoever she faces, but she is certainly not lacking any confidence at the moment.
