Naomi Osaka reaches first SF in nearly three years with big comeback win

Naomi Osaka accomplished an enormous comeback towards Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2) 6-1 6-2 to progress into the semifinal on the WTA 250 event in Auckland. 

Early within the match, not a lot was separating the 2 and the 92nd-ranked American managed to win the opener after profitable 5 consecutive factors from 2-2 within the tie-break. 

Nonetheless, the previous world No. 1 did not panic – and never solely that she did not collapse after dropping a good first set – however she additionally raised her stage in an enormous means, breaking Baptiste thrice within the second set to power a decider.

Then, Osaka did not have any points finishing her comeback as she broke the 23-year-old two instances and confronted no break factors. 

All through the match, the Japanese served exceptionally and fired 10 aces, together with 17 winners. 

In her subsequent match, the four-time Grand Slam champion will battle towards both Katie Volynets or Alycia Parks.

Osaka makes her first semifinal in two and a half years, returns to the top-50

For the 27-year-old, that is her first WTA semifinal since launching her post-pregnancy return.

Additionally, she has made a semifinal for the primary time for the reason that 2022 Miami Open. 

And, the Japanese – who began this week ranked at No. 57 on the planet – is at the moment at No. 50 in stay rankings and also will return to the top-50 subsequent week. 

“I believe the important thing focuses that I had have been simply to have numerous perception and confidence in myself. I believe I put numerous work in all through final yr, and despite the fact that the outcomes didn’t present it, I believe I am simply persevering with to, I assume, strive as exhausting as I can and see the place it will get me,” Osaka stated in her on-court interview after reaching the Auckland semifinal.