Naomi Osaka’s upset over Gauff sparks debate on her comeback: some say she has a strong chance to win the title, others believe more observation is needed.

After the match against the American player Gauff, Osaka’s “Purple Aura” outfit did not go to waste, as she finally showed resilience at a crucial moment, causing the biggest upset in the women’s singles just as the US Open entered its second week.

Following their meeting in the round of 16, fans and netizens openly stated that this match between the two former US Open champions would answer two questions: one, whether the Japanese player has truly made a strong comeback or shows signs of one; and two, whether Gauff has overcome her slump to become one of the top contenders for the title this year.

Before the WTA1000 Montreal final against Canadian prodigy Mboko, almost everyone believed that if the Japanese player won the title, it would signal a powerful resurgence. Unfortunately, the outcome was disappointing, as Osaka not only failed to win but also collapsed under pressure, hardly showing signs of a strong comeback.

Concerns about Gauff arose mainly from her match against Vekic.

In that match, the American player suddenly broke down in tears and made numerous uncharacteristic errors, which was alarming to watch. Although she eventually won, many considered the victory ugly and doubted her chances of advancing far at the US Open. Especially after Andrejeva’s shock elimination, most expected Gauff to be the next top seed to be upset.

However, Gauff has shown an ability to turn her reputation around against the odds; when many thought she was finished, she delivered a dominant win over Fletcher, easing external concerns.

Thus, with Gauff believed to have returned to form, facing a well-performing Osaka, this match was naturally expected to be competitive and fiercely contested.

Yet after the match, many expressed disappointment as the anticipated intense battle never materialized; instead, Gauff collapsed like a row of dominoes, with the match becoming one-sided from the very start.

When Gauff lost her first service game in the opening set, fans and viewers initially thought she was just slow to warm up and would improve. But after Osaka took the first set 6-3 and Gauff showed no significant improvement, it became clear that the American was in serious trouble and an upset was looming.

The prediction proved accurate! After the second set reached 2-2, Gauff’s resistance weakened steadily, and the rest of the match turned into a solo performance by Osaka.

The Japanese player performed even better in the second set than in the first, allowing Gauff only two games before decisively ending the contest with a straight-sets victory, marking the biggest upset in the women’s singles since the start of the US Open and into its second week.

With this win over Gauff, Osaka returned to the US Open quarterfinals for the first time in five years.

Consequently, the media quickly raised a hot topic: since Osaka won the US Open title after reaching the quarterfinals in 2021, could she repeat that feat and surprise everyone again this year?

Some say Osaka has already made a strong comeback and has a high chance of winning the championship.

In the match against Gauff, Osaka displayed peak form, with a first-serve win rate of 94% and precise, steady baseline rallies, making her a player worthy of trust.

Moreover, Osaka has maintained a pattern at the US Open where reaching the quarterfinals leads to winning the title, as seen in 2018 and 2020, so it is believed this time might be no different.

However, others disagree, arguing it is too soon to claim Osaka’s strong comeback and suggesting more observation before drawing conclusions.

Their reasoning is that Gauff was not at her best, with a 52% first-serve win rate and 33 unforced errors; defeating a struggling Gauff doesn’t guarantee a win against others. Thus, Osaka’s victory raises questions about whether she has truly returned to form.

So, what performance at the US Open would count as a true comeback for Osaka? Some suggest it would be breaking through to the final from the semifinals.

In essence, the point is that Osaka must beat players in better form than Gauff to prove her comeback. If she can defeat the currently red-hot Swiatek, it would completely silence doubts about her resurgence.

Currently, Swiatek has powerfully advanced to the quarterfinals, and the two are only one win away from a potential meeting. It remains to be seen if Osaka can make it that far and reignite everyone’s excitement for the tournament!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moonlit River’s Starry Sky)