Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, who became a mother in 2023, reached her first semi-final since 2022 by beating Hailey Baptiste on Friday in the quarterfinals in Auckland, a preparation tournament for the Australian Open which she won twice times. The 27-year-old Japanese, four-time Grand Slam winner, overthrew the 23-year-old American in three sets 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2.
For the first time since April 2022 and the Miami tournament, Osaka reached the last four of a tournament. Since then, she stopped playing Tennis for 15 months to give birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023, before returning to the courts in January 2024.The main goal today was to believe in myself and have confidence in myself“, explained Osaka, 57th player in the world. “I put in a lot of work throughout the last year, even if the results didn't show it, and I continue to do my best to see where it takes me“.
As in her first two matches in Auckland, the Japanese lacked rhythm in the first set. She was then able to count on an efficient service, with nine aces. Hailey Baptiste, 92nd in the world, was treated for an ankle injury during the second set. Osaka will face an American in the half, either Katie Volynets or Alycia Parks.