TORONTO — Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka delivered a commanding performance to defeat 22nd-seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4 in the third round of the Canadian Open, advancing to the fourth round while ending Jessica Pegula's title defense in the process.
Osaka, playing in her first Canadian Open since 2019, showcased her trademark power and precision, dominating the 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko in just 78 minutes. The victory marks another step in Osaka's steady resurgence after returning from maternity leave earlier this year. "I'm just really happy to be playing at this level again," Osaka said in her post-match interview.
Osaka's Dominant Performance
The former world No. 1 controlled the match from the outset, firing 22 winners to Ostapenko's 15 while committing just 12 unforced errors compared to her opponent's 25. Osaka's serve was particularly effective, landing 70% of her first serves and winning 82% of those points. "When my serve is working like that, it gives me so much confidence in my game," Osaka remarked.
Key moments in the match included:
- Breaking Ostapenko in the opening game to set the tone
- Saving all three break points faced in the first set
- Winning 12 of 13 net approaches
- Converting 4 of 6 break point opportunities
Pegula's Title Defense Ends
In another major upset, defending champion Jessica Pegula fell to Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-3 in just 68 minutes. The world No. 5 struggled throughout the match, winning just 48% of her service points. "I never really found my rhythm today," a disappointed Pegula admitted afterward.
Paolini, who reached the French Open quarterfinals earlier this year, played near-flawless tennis, committing just 8 unforced errors while hitting 20 winners. The Italian's victory continues her breakthrough season that has seen her rise to a career-high ranking of No. 12. "I knew I had to play my best tennis against Jessica, and today everything was working," Paolini said.
What's Next for Osaka
Osaka will face either 15th-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova or American qualifier Emma Navarro in the fourth round. With her current form, many are speculating this could be Osaka's deepest run at a WTA 1000 event since her return to competition. The Japanese star has now won six of her last seven matches, including her impressive run to the quarterfinals at last month's Wimbledon.
Tennis analysts have noted significant improvements in Osaka's game:
- More consistent footwork and movement
- Improved variety in her groundstrokes
- Better point construction and patience in rallies
- Stronger mental resilience in tight moments
Tournament Implications
With Pegula's elimination, the Canadian Open will have a new champion this year. The results also shake up the US Open Series standings, with Osaka now positioned to potentially earn valuable ranking points ahead of the year's final Grand Slam. The tournament has already seen several top seeds fall, including world No. 1 Iga Świątek in the second round.
Osaka's victory over Ostapenko was particularly significant as it marked her first win over a top-30 player since her return. "Every match like this gives me more confidence that I can compete at the highest level again," Osaka said. "I'm just taking it one match at a time and enjoying being back out here."
Conclusion
Naomi Osaka's dominant performance against Jelena Ostapenko signals that the former world No. 1 is rapidly regaining her championship form. Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula's early exit opens up the draw for several contenders. As the Canadian Open moves into its second week, all eyes will be on Osaka to see if she can continue her impressive run and potentially claim her first WTA 1000 title since the 2021 Miami Open. "I'm just focused on my next match," Osaka said when asked about her title chances. "But of course, winning tournaments is why I came back to tennis."