Naomi Osaka completes Hailey Baptiste comeback in Auckland to reach semifinals

Naomi Osaka stands within two wins of her first WTA title in almost four years at the ASB Classic, clinching a quarterfinal comeback over Hailey Baptiste, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2.

“I think the key focuses that I had were just to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself. I think I put a lot of work in throughout last year even though the results didn’t show it. I think, just continuing to try as hard as I can and seeing where that gets me.”

Seeded seventh in Auckland, the former world No. 1 last held a winner’s trophy at the 2021 Australian Open, where she won her fourth major title. Though she dropped her first set of the week against Baptiste, Osaka executed a near-flawless performance in the final two sets to advance in two hours and two minutes on Stadium Court.

Osaka is playing her first tournament since October, where she incurred an ill-timed back injury at the China Open during a competitive round-of-16 clash with Coco Gauff. After easing through her opening two rounds, Osaka found herself facing her biggest challenge of the week in Baptiste, a 23-year-old American who finished her first season inside the Top 100 last year.

Baptiste was coming off a nail-biter of a second round against Jodie Burrage, defeating the Brit in a third-set tiebreaker, and she was equally clutch against Osaka in the opening set.

Though she emerged victorious in another tie-break set, Baptiste was soon undone by a bourgeoning injury and Osaka’s improved play

“She’s an amazing player,” Osaka said. “It sucks that she was injured but I think we played a high-quality match and I’m, in a weird way, glad to have played a three-set match because I think that’s the kind of experience I need.”

Ending the match with a clean stat sheet that featured 10 aces, 22 winners and just 16 unforced errors, Osaka, who is working with Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou, raced through the final two sets with the loss of just three games.

Serving her way to the semifinals, Osaka will face yet another American for a spot in the final: the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 8 seed Katie Volynets and countrywoman Alycia Parks.