Clara Tauson“>
Clara Tauson
MONTREAL – Naomi Osaka is set to compete for the National Bank Open title after a commanding victory in the semi-finals on Wednesday, August 9th, at IGA Stadium in Montreal. She defeated qualifier Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 7-6(4), continuing her remarkable run at the tournament.
Following her quarter-final win on Monday, Osaka highlighted her improved physical conditioning, a key focus of her training leading up to the tournament. She reiterated this point after Wednesday’s match, emphasizing her ability to recover quickly between matches. “I have always recovered quickly and I have always felt better when I play a lot of matches,” Osaka stated. “I feel pretty good, I hope it will be enough against a teenager, as I know she will be in good shape.”
A Historic Run for Leylah Annie Fernandez‘s Conqueror
Osaka’s semi-final opponent, 19-year-old Clara Tauson of Denmark, is already making history. She became the first Canadian in the Open Era to defeat three former Grand Slam champions – Leylah Annie Fernandez, karolina Pliskova, and now Naomi Osaka – within the same tournament. Tauson will attempt to complete a remarkable feat by adding a fourth former major winner to her list in the final.
Osaka’s career includes four Grand Slam titles: the Australian Open in 2021 and 2019, and the US Open in 2020 and 2018. Prior to temporarily pausing her professional career to start a family, she was a dominant force in women’s tennis.
This week in Montreal marks a significant resurgence for Osaka,reaching her first WTA 1000 final as Miami in 2022.Entering the tournament ranked 49th, Osaka is now guaranteed to climb into the top 25 in the next WTA rankings update, scheduled for August 14th. The final will be played on Sunday, august 13th, at IGA Stadium.
