Naomi Osaka defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 at the U.S. Open on Monday, marking her first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance in over four and a half years. The No. 23-seeded Osaka showcased a confident and consistent style of play at Arthur Ashe Stadium, outpacing the No. 3-seeded Gauff, who struggled with unforced errors throughout the match.

"I was super locked in, to be honest. I was really locked in," said Osaka, who was born in Japan and moved to the U.S. at age 3. "I felt like everyone wanted to watch a really great match, and I hope that’s what you got."

Osaka's performance was a testament to her return to form after taking a 17-month maternity leave. Her child, Shai, was born in July 2023. This victory is significant for Osaka, who last reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam at the Australian Open in 2021. She has previously won four major titles, including two U.S. Open championships in 2018 and 2020, and two Australian Open titles in 2019 and 2021.

Gauff, a 21-year-old from Florida, entered the match as a two-time Grand Slam champion, having won the U.S. Open in 2023 and the French Open in June. However, she struggled with her game against Osaka, finishing with 33 unforced errors compared to Osaka's 12. Gauff's body language reflected her frustration, as she often gestured toward her team in the stands, appearing confused and upset.

Osaka's powerful serve and aggressive strokes were on full display. She won 32 of the 38 points she served and converted all four break points she earned. Gauff, attempting to adjust her serve with the help of biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, was broken early in the match and found herself down 2-0 within five minutes.

Despite a strong second service game where Gauff hit four first serves over 110 mph, the match was dominated by Osaka's strategy. She effectively targeted Gauff's weaker forehand, leading to a significant number of errors from her opponent. By the end of the first set, Gauff had committed 16 unforced errors, while Osaka had only five.

After the match, Osaka expressed her joy at being back on the court. "I’m a little sensitive and I don’t want to cry, but honestly, I just had so much fun out here," she said. "This is my favorite court in the world, and it means so much for me to be back here."

Osaka's victory sets the stage for her continued pursuit of a Grand Slam title as she advances to the quarterfinals.