Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, is eagerly looking forward to her upcoming showdown against Coco Gauff in the China Open. Osaka joked that continuing in Beijing where she left off in 2019 is like “fake it all until you make it.”
In her latest match on Monday, Osaka defeated Katie Volynets 6-3 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament. This marks Osaka’s third quarterfinal appearance at the China Open, with her previous runs resulting in a semifinal finish in 2018 and a championship title in 2019.
Despite this being her first appearance in China’s capital, Osaka has managed to win her opening three matches, extending her winning streak to nine matches. The mention of her winning streak from years ago by some has only fueled the hype surrounding her return. The 2019 champion admitted that hearing people talk about her past success has had a positive impact on her.
“When I first got here and people mentioned my winning streak from years ago, I took it as a sign to fake it until you make it. But I also realized that I have been playing better throughout the year,” Osaka, currently ranked No. 73 in the world, remarked.
After facing difficulties with her form earlier in the season on grass and North American hard courts, Osaka seems to have found her rhythm in Beijing. She has only dropped one set en route to the quarterfinals and put on a dominant display in her match against Volynets, losing just five games in total.
“I wanted to build on my performance from the last match. I focused on being aggressive right from the start. Instead of worrying about unforced errors, I concentrated on keeping my opponent moving,” Osaka reflected on her strategic approach.
As Osaka gears up for the highly anticipated clash with Gauff, she remains in high spirits and confident in her ability to compete at the highest level in Beijing. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two of the brightest young stars in women’s tennis.
