In a dazzling display of power and precision, Naomi Osaka delivered a tennis masterclass at the National Bank Open in Montreal on August 3, 2025, obliterating Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 6-0 in a mere 49 minutes to secure her spot in the quarterfinals. The former world No. 1, whose resurgence has captivated fans since her return from maternity leave in 2024, left no doubt about her intent to reclaim her place among the WTA elite. This commanding victory, the second-fastest of her career, marked her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the year and only her second at the Canadian Open, following a similar run in Toronto in 2019. “I was so locked in,” Osaka said, reflecting on a performance that saw her drop just one game, a feat she hadn’t achieved in a completed match since her 6-1, 6-0 rout of Danielle Collins in Beijing 2018.
The Centre Court in Montreal was electric as Osaka, now ranked No. 49, faced Sevastova, a former world No. 11 who had stunned two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula in the third round. The match began competitively, with the score tied at 1-1 after two games. But from that moment, Osaka unleashed an unrelenting barrage, winning 11 consecutive games to close out the match with breathtaking efficiency. Her serve was a weapon, firing 78% of first serves in and converting 13 winners to Sevastova’s solitary one. “I tried to keep my composure as much as I could playing in front of so many people,” Osaka noted, crediting the vibrant crowd for fueling her focus. “It’s a very special experience for me.”
Osaka’s path to the quarterfinals has been a story of resilience. Earlier in the tournament, she staged a dramatic comeback against No. 13 seed Liudmila Samsonova, saving three match points in a 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 thriller. “That was probably the best win of my season, given the context and the opponent,” she said of the two-hour, 37-minute battle. She followed it with a 6-2, 6-4 dismantling of Jelena Ostapenko, a player she calls her “favorite” for her trailblazing as the first 1997-born major winner. Osaka now holds a perfect 3-0 record against the Latvian, having never dropped a set. “I have a lot of respect for her, but on the court, it’s all business,” Osaka said with a smile.
This Montreal run marks a high point in Osaka’s 2025 season, which has seen her climb back up the rankings after a WTA 125 title in Saint-Malo and a third-round showing at Wimbledon—her best Grand Slam result since 2021. A late-night hotel fire alarm before her first-round win over Canada’s Ariana Arseneault tested her mental fortitude, but Osaka’s ability to stay composed under pressure has defined her campaign. Working with new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, she has rediscovered the aggressive, first-strike tennis that earned her four Grand Slam titles—two at the Australian Open and two at the US Open. “I’m just trying to stay solid and play fearless tennis,” she said, echoing the mindset that has propelled her to a live ranking of No. 42.
Sevastova, ranked No. 386 and playing on a protected ranking after returning from maternity leave and a torn ACL, could not match Osaka’s intensity. Her upset of Pegula had raised hopes, but Osaka’s dominance left her with little room to maneuver. As Osaka advances to face either Amanda Anisimova or Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. With the Cincinnati Open and US Open looming, Osaka’s Montreal performance signals a return to form that could shake up the hard-court season. Her blend of power, poise, and renewed confidence makes her a formidable contender, proving that the Japanese star is far from done writing her tennis legacy.
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