MONTREAL — Naomi Osaka delivered a dominant performance at the Canadian Open on Thursday, dropping just one game against Anastasija Sevastova to secure her spot in the quarter-finals. The former world No. 1, who has been steadily regaining form since her return from maternity leave, needed only 55 minutes to dismantle her Latvian opponent with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Meanwhile, Madison Keys also advanced to the last eight with a hard-fought win over Jelena Ostapenko, setting up an exciting clash between two of the tournament's most in-form players. Osaka and Keys, both Grand Slam champions, will now face off in what promises to be a thrilling quarter-final encounter at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal.
Osaka's Resurgence Continues
The Japanese star has shown flashes of her best tennis throughout the week, but her performance against Sevastova was arguably her most convincing since returning to the tour in January. Osaka's powerful groundstrokes and improved movement left the former world No. 11 scrambling throughout the match. "I felt really good out there today," Osaka said in her post-match interview. "I've been working hard on my consistency, and it's nice to see that paying off."
Key statistics from Osaka's dominant win:
- Won 86% of first-serve points (19/22)
- Converted 5 of 7 break point opportunities
- Hit 22 winners to just 9 unforced errors
Keys Overcomes Ostapenko Challenge
Madison Keys battled past 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in a tense three-setter, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in just over two hours. The American relied on her trademark power game, firing 35 winners to overcome Ostapenko's aggressive baseline play. "Jelena is always such a tough opponent," Keys said. "I knew I had to stay focused every point because she can turn things around so quickly."
Quarter-Final Preview: Osaka vs. Keys
The upcoming quarter-final between Osaka and Keys represents a fascinating clash of styles and career trajectories:
- Osaka leads their head-to-head 3-1, including a straight-sets win in their last meeting at the 2019 Australian Open
- Both players are former US Open champions (Osaka in 2018, 2020; Keys in 2017 finalist)
- This marks Osaka's first WTA 1000 quarter-final since Miami 2022
Tennis analysts are particularly intrigued by Osaka's recent improvements in movement and consistency. "What we're seeing from Naomi now is much closer to her Grand Slam-winning form," noted ESPN commentator Pam Shriver. "Her serve is back to being a real weapon, and she's moving better than at any point since her return."
The Road Ahead in Montreal
With the quarter-finals set, the Canadian Open is shaping up to be one of the most competitive WTA events of the summer hardcourt season. Other notable results from Thursday's action included:
- Top seed Iga Świątek surviving a scare against Karolina Pliskova
- Coco Gauff continuing her strong form with a straight-sets win over Elise Mertens
- Jessica Pegula advancing when her opponent retired due to injury
The tournament has already seen several upsets, with defending champion Simona Halep falling in the second round and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka withdrawing before her opening match. This has opened the door for players like Osaka and Keys to make deep runs and build momentum ahead of the US Open.
What This Means for Osaka's Comeback
Osaka's performance in Montreal represents a significant milestone in her return to elite competition. Since coming back from maternity leave, the four-time Grand Slam champion has:
- Climbed from No. 831 to inside the top 150 in just six months
- Reached the quarter-finals or better in three of her last five tournaments
- Shown steady improvement in her movement and endurance
Her coach, Wim Fissette, has been particularly pleased with her progress. "Naomi's commitment to rebuilding her game has been incredible to watch," Fissette told reporters. "She's putting in the work every day, and results like today show that she's heading in the right direction."
As the tournament moves into its decisive stages, all eyes will be on Friday's quarter-final between Osaka and Keys. The match is scheduled as the evening feature on Court Central, with the winner advancing to face either Świątek or Gauff in the semi-finals. For Osaka, this represents another opportunity to prove she's ready to compete for the biggest titles once again.