Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates her win against Hailey Baptiste of the U.S. in the quarterfinal match of the ASB Classic WTA 250 tennis tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (Alan Lee/Photosport via AP)
Former world number one Naomi Osaka reached her first semi-final since 2022 after fighting back at the Auckland Classic on Friday.
The four-time Grand Slam champion beat unseeded American Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2 in another confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Naomi Osaka says she won’t ‘hang around’ if results don’t come
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS Alex Eala exits Canberra semifinals after loss to Chinese foe SPORTS NBA: Stephen Curry tastes 3-point perfection in Warriors win SPORTS As PBA enters 50th year, will four-point shot stay?Osaka said her hard work was starting to pay off after booking a place in the final four of a WTA event for the first time since the Miami Open in April 2022.
The Japan star gave birth to daughter Shai in July the following year, midway through a 15-month break, before returning to the tour 12 months ago.
Article continues after this advertisement“I put a lot of work in throughout last year and even though the results didn’t show it, I’m just continuing to try as hard as I can to see where it gets me,” the 57th-ranked Osaka said.
Article continues after this advertisement“The key focus again today was just to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself.”
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Naomi Osaka wins 1st match of new season in return from injury
As with her first two matches in Auckland, the 27-year-old lacked rhythm in the opening set.
Article continues after this advertisementShe unearthed a powerful serving game over the next two sets, ending with nine aces to give her 21 for the tournament.
World number 92 Baptiste sought treatment for an ankle injury during the second set.
Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion, admitted that helped her cause.
“She’s an amazing player, it sucks that she was injured but I think we played a really high-quality match,” said Osaka, who is seeded seventh in Auckland.
“In a weird way I’m glad to play a three-set match because I think that’s the kind of experience that I need.”
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Osaka’s semi-final opponent will come from the winner of a quarter-final later on Friday between eighth seed Katie Volynets and unseeded American compatriot Alycia Parks.smash bet
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