NEW YORK: Naomi Osaka blew past Coco Gauff to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday in a lopsided battle of former champions.
Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka dominated American third seed Gauff on her way to wrapping up a 6-3, 6-2 victory in one hour four minutes on the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court.
The eagerly anticipated showdown between 2018 and 2020 US Open champion Osaka and 2023 title-winner Gauff never quite lived up to the billing.
Gauff, who changed her coaching team on the eve of the tournament in an effort to improve her serving, once again struggled on serve.
She was broken four times by Osaka, who looked far more assured throughout as she coasted into her first Grand Slam quarter-final in four years.
“I’m a little sensitive and I don’t want to cry,” said Osaka, who also beat a 15-year-old Gauff at the US Open in their first meeting in 2019.
“I had so much fun out here. This is my favorite court in the world and it means so much to me to be back here.”
Osaka’s current US Open campaign is her best performance in a Grand Slam singles tournament since she returned to tennis last year following the birth of her daughter in 2023.
Osaka conceded just two points off her serve in the entire opening set, which she took with her second break of Gauff, who double-faulted on set point.
The second set was a similar story, with Osaka giving up only four points on serve while pressuring Gauff relentlessly.
Osaka edged clear after breaking Gauff to go 4-2 up and then broke the American again to complete victory.
Osaka will face either Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova or Ukrainian 27th seed Marta Kostyuk in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.
Osaka routs Gauff to reach US Open quarter-finals
https://arab.news/82v6c
Osaka routs Gauff to reach US Open quarter-finals
- Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka dominated American third seed Gauff on her way to wrapping up a 6-3, 6-2 victory
Horses central to major Vision 2030 projects in Kingdom, racing leaders say
- Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh hears about host of new equine projects
RIYADH: Leaders of Vision 2030 projects across Saudi Arabia told delegates at the 41st Asian Racing Conference that equestrianism and other sports are having a crucial impact on wider economic development and investment in the country.
Sport has been at the core of Saudi Arabia’s vision with significant investments in golf, tennis and football but the country’s love of horseracing means it is seen as a central driver of many projects maturing across the Kingdom.
The topic was covered during a panel session on Tuesday at the 41st ARC in Riyadh, organized by the Asian Racing Federation and hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
On the day news broke of a new racetrack to be constructed at Qiddiya just outside the capital, it was clear that horses are a key part of Saudi communities and a driver of economic growth.
Panelist Tim Hadaway, equestrian development executive director, sports sector, AlUla, said the horse was at the heart of much of their strategic thinking at a venue which will host an FEI World Championship event later this year.
“The horse is really one of the key strategic pillars of the project, part of Vision 2030 to drive economic development and diversity as well as the development of tourism, to showcase this part of the Kingdom to the world.”
He welcomed the increasing collaboration between various horse racing projects in the country.
“We’re working together, looking at what the ecosystem needs across the Kingdom, and to find that really strong infrastructure, that really strong development, that our company is going to see and helps the Kingdom succeed on the international stage.”
Marc Hewett, executive director, head of racecourse, Qiddiya Investment Co., was delighted to announce plans of the new racecourse on the site that will become the home of The Saudi Cup.
“Creating economic stability and economic rights, increasing equity, increasing demand, job creation, sustainability, targets and improving that infrastructure.
“These developments were all based around core, residential, education, sport, and retail projects. We’re embracing the power of play, new residents and social communities, 500,000 residents, 200,000 jobs, tourism, hospitality, education, sports and entertainment.”
