Osaka and Tauson set up blockbuster semifinal in Montreal
Both Naomi Osaka and Clara Tauson produced dominant quarter-final performances on Tuesday night at the IGA Stadium, setting up a highly anticipated semifinal clash at the WTA 1000 in Montreal.
Naomi Osaka Montreal 2025 – © Zuma / Psnewz
Osaka in full control against Svitolina
Naomi Osaka continued her impressive return to form at the WTA 1000 in Montreal, dispatching Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour to reach her first semifinal at this level since Miami 2022. The former world No.1 delivered a commanding performance, overpowering the tenth seed with clean ball-striking and composed movement.
“I feel much more at peace with myself and with what I want to achieve this part of the season,” Osaka said in her post-match press conference. That sense of calm has translated into one of her most convincing runs in recent years.
The Japanese star, who missed the 2023 season due to maternity leave, has dropped just one set so far this week, and looked untouchable against a confident Svitolina who had breezed through her previous three matches. “I knew she’s one of the best returners and doesn’t give away points. I told myself she would have to take me off the court if she wanted to win.”
Osaka dropped just a handful of points on her serve, facing real pressure only once, late in the opening set. Her physical progress since returning to the Tour has been visible match after match, and she now finds herself two wins away from an eighth career title — and her first since the 2021 Australian Open.
Tauson battles emotions to beat Keys
On the other side of the draw, Clara Tauson continues her breakthrough run with another straight-sets win, this time over Madison Keys (6-1, 6-4), to advance to her second WTA 1000 semifinal of the season after Dubai.
The 22-year-old Dane has yet to drop a set in Montreal, a remarkable feat made even more striking by what she revealed after the match: she had learned of her grandfather Peter’s passing just two days prior. “He coached me a bit when I was younger and took me to all my practices. It’s a difficult loss,” she said. “I tried to keep the emotions in until the end of the match. Now I can let them out a little.”
Despite the emotional weight, Tauson delivered a composed and aggressive performance, especially in the first set. Keys, the No.6 seed, struggled with her rhythm early on and never managed to break the Dane’s serve. “She served very well in the second set, so I had to stay solid on my service games.”
Two top-10 wins in 48 hours
Tauson had already stunned world No.2 Iga Swiatek in the previous round — a statement win that confirmed her growing presence in the game. “Beating top-10 players brings confidence, but what I’m really looking for is consistency. I don’t think I’ve hit my top level yet, but I’m playing very solid and serving well,” she explained.
She has now beaten two top-10 players in the span of 48 hours and appears to be thriving under the spotlight, especially in the night session. “I love playing here, especially at night. The conditions suit me really well.”
A rematch from Auckland to come
The semifinal will pit Osaka against Tauson for the second time this year. Their only previous meeting came in Auckland in January, where Osaka had to retire due to an abdominal injury. Both players are now at full strength and in red-hot form, setting the stage for a much-anticipated clash on Friday.
“She had a very interesting, slightly unorthodox game,” Osaka recalled. “I’m curious to see how it plays out this time.”
