- Osaka beats Volynets to face Gauff in Beijing.
- Sabalenka defeats Krueger, faces Keys next.
- Osaka competing under new coach Mouratoglou.
- Gauff advances with a win over Boulter.
Naomi Osaka advanced to a highly anticipated clash with fellow US Open champion Coco Gauff at the China Open in Beijing, following her 6-3, 6-2 victory over 60th-ranked American Katie Volynets.
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka also moved forward, cruising past Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-2. She now faces another American, Madison Keys, who is ranked 24th.
Osaka, a former world No. 1, is competing in her first tournament under the guidance of coach Patrick Mouratoglou, best known for his long-time coaching of Serena Williams. Since returning to tennis after giving birth to her daughter in July last year, the 26-year-old has struggled with form and consistency.
Ranked 73rd, Osaka’s performance has been uneven, with her best post-return results being two quarter-final appearances. She recently exited the US Open in the second round.
However, Osaka’s commanding win over Volynets showcased flashes of her past brilliance. A two-time US Open champion, Osaka has seven WTA titles, including a victory at the China Open in 2019, the same year she claimed her first Australian Open title.
Gauff, the reigning US Open champion and seeded fourth in Beijing, secured her spot in the last 16 with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Katie Boulter of Britain. The 20-year-old American has split her four previous matches with Osaka, with their last meeting in 2022 resulting in a Gauff victory.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka rebounded from an error-filled opening match to dominate Krueger. Despite some resistance from Krueger, Sabalenka ultimately overpowered the 68th-ranked American. With 14 of her 16 titles coming on hard courts, Sabalenka will be tough to beat in Beijing, especially with top-ranked Iga Swiatek absent due to personal reasons.
