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.
