Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Naomi Osaka’s Wild 100% Grand Slam Quarterfinal Record Hints at 5th Major Being Just Around the Corner at US Open 2025

Osaka’s flawless Slam quarterfinal record fuels comeback hopes in New York.

Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Naomi Osaka announced her return to the Grand Slam spotlight with dominance on Monday, defeating No. 3 seed Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 to reach the 2025 US Open quarterfinals. The victory reignited a remarkable trend. Every time Osaka has made a Slam quarterfinal, she has gone on to lift the trophy. Now, after four and a half years away from this stage, the four-time major champion is chasing another run in New York.

4/4 – Naomi Osaka is the only player in the Open Era (men's included) to have always won the title when she reached the quarter-finals in Majors – min. two QFs. Destiny?#USOpen | @usopen @WTA
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 2, 2025

Confidence and Comeback Define Osaka’s US Open Revival

Osaka’s dismantling of the 2023 champion underlined the aura that once made her untouchable on hard courts. She was “locked in” from the opening exchanges, winning eight of the first nine points and never allowing Gauff a look at a break point. Gauff unraveled under pressure, racking up 33 unforced errors and five double faults while Osaka calmly absorbed and redirected the pace. The match ended in just 64 minutes, with Osaka controlling the tempo throughout.

The Japanese star’s last Slam quarterfinal came at the 2021 Australian Open, which she went on to win. Before that, she had triumphed at the 2020 US Open, the 2019 Australian Open, and the 2018 US Open, making her four-for-four when reaching this stage. “This is my favorite court in the world, and it means so much to me to be back here,” Osaka said. “Big thank you to my team. We’ve kind of been through a lot, and it hasn’t always been easy.”

Osaka d. Coco Gauff 6-3 6-2

Incredible.

Naomi reaches her first Grand Slam QF in 1658 days.

That’s 4 & a half years.

It’s also her first one as a mom.

✅3rd US Open QF
✅5th Slam QF

There are no words to describe how much she’s grown as a player.

She’s using her power in… pic.twitter.com/OMpMsCpeJb
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 1, 2025

Her return carries added significance. Four and a half years have passed since her last Slam quarterfinal, a stretch that included battles with form, confidence, and the birth of her daughter, Shai, in 2023. Earlier this season she broke a long drought by winning in Saint Malo, but results remained inconsistent. Now, guided by new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, she looks fitter and sharper.

Next up is Czech No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova, a two-time US Open semifinalist who defeated Marta Kostyuk to book her place in the last eight. Osaka leads with power and baseline dominance, while Muchova thrives on creativity, setting up a contrast in styles.

Naomi Osaka after beating Coco Gauff at the U.S. Open

“I’m a little sensitive and I don’t want to cry but I had so much fun out here. I was in the stands 2 months after I gave birth to my daughter watching Coco.. I really wanted an opportunity to come out here and play. This is… pic.twitter.com/sowO9pS239
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 1, 2025

For Osaka, history is both a challenge and an inspiration. Four Slam quarterfinals, four titles. Now back in familiar territory after years of searching, the 27-year-old is once again within touching distance of the stage where she has always delivered her very best.

Mandatory Image Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

naomi osaka

US Open 2025

Rudra Dubey

nfl

mma

I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.