Naomi Osaka surged into the semi-finals of the Canadian Open on Tuesday with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Elina Svitolina, as the former world No. 1 continues her quest for a first WTA Tour title in over three years.
The four-time Grand Slam champion needed just 68 minutes to dismantle the 10th-seeded Ukrainian, setting up a high-stakes showdown with 16th seed Clara Tauson of Denmark, who earlier stunned Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-1, 6-4.
“I’m just having a lot of fun playing. I’m glad to be here,” Osaka said after her win. “I think I’ll be seeded in the US Open because I won my match. That was a really good goal for me. I’m just really excited.”
Tauson, 22, has emerged as the tournament’s surprise package, toppling two top-10 players — Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys — in successive rounds to reach her second WTA 1000 semi-final. Her win against Keys was emotionally charged, coming just days after the death of her grandfather.
“Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away, so I really wanted to win for him today,” a tearful Tauson said after the match. “I was told the day after I beat Iga, so I really wanted to come out and show my best tennis for him. Hopefully he’s watching.”
Tauson dominated from the outset against Keys, breaking twice to claim the opening set before capitalising on a double fault from the American to start the second. She closed out the match without facing a break point, holding serve at love to finish in 70 minutes.
The Danish player now stands one win away from her fourth career WTA title — and her first at the WTA 1000 level. Her previous titles came in Lyon and Luxembourg in 2021, and Auckland earlier this year, where Osaka retired in the final due to injury.
“She’s really tough,” Osaka said of Tauson. “I played her in Auckland this year. I had to stop halfway because I was injured. So I’m really excited that I’m healthy.”
For Osaka, the Montreal tournament represents her strongest showing since returning from maternity leave. A title here would be her first since winning the Australian Open in 2021, and her first non-Grand Slam title since 2019.
The Canadian Open has seen a string of upsets, with seven of the top 10 seeds — including Swiatek and Keys — eliminated before the quarter-finals.
In the other semi-final, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will face 18-year-old Canadian breakout star Victoria Mboko. Rybakina holds the edge, having defeated Mboko 6-3, 7-5 in their only prior meeting last month in Washington.
With Osaka’s form resurging and Tauson playing the tournament of her career, Wednesday’s semi-final promises a compelling clash between experience and momentum.
