Osaka celebrates beforehand: first semifinal since 2022

Naomi Osaka, seventh seed, she reached one of those well-celebrated semifinals in Auckland (New Zealand) by beating the American Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2), 6-1 and 6-2.

The Japanese, former world number one, placed in her first semi-final since returning to the competition after a year away from the courts to be a mother.

Twice winner of the Australian Open and twice of the United States Open, she was a semifinalist for the last time in Miami, in 2022, surpassed by the Polish Iga Swiatek.

Located in 57th place in the women’s ranking, she will play against the winner of the match between the Americans Katie Volynets, eighth seed, and Alycia Parks, suspended due to rain and moved to Saturday like the final leg of the duel between the first favorite, the American Madison Keys, and the Danish Clara Tauson, fifth, who had an advantage on the scoreboard 6-4 and 3-4.

The winner of this clash will face Robin Montgomery who won the American match against Bernarda Pera by 6-4 and 6-4.