Naomi Osaka explains why she’s feeling confident she can beat Coco Gauff ahead of their China Open match

Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff are set to meet for the first time since 2022 in the last 16 of the China Open.

There aren’t many compelling storylines on the WTA Tour at the moment beyond the various plights of Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka.

While in different stages of their career and undergoing their own individual struggles, the two Grand Slam champions are essentially both worried they’re falling behind.

Osaka’s new partnership with Patrick Mourtagolou has seen her win three on the bounce for just the second time this year.

A third-round win over American Katie Volynets secured Osaka’s passage into the last 16, while Gauff defeated Britain’s Katie Boulter in straight sets.

At two wins apiece over each other and increasingly less idea which version of the two will show up, it’s sure to be a thriller.

Naomi Osaka anticipates ‘exciting’ duel with Coco Gauff
After a dismal summer of results concluded with an early exit to Emma Navarro in New York, Gauff decided to split from coach Brad Gilbert after 14 months together.

Gauff’s new coach Matt Daly has been tasked with fixing her unreliable serve and forehand – the two shots that have caused her capitulation in recent months.

With the showdown set as Osaka sealed her match with a flourish, the former world number one admitted she’s looking forward to playing Gauff.

“She’s one of the best players in the world,” Osaka told the WTA. “I think it’s going to be a really cool test for me. She’s played really well this year. I’m excited to play the match, and I know people are excited to watch the match.

“She has a great serve, she’s very athletic, obviously,” Osaka said of Gauff. “I think for me my strongest traits are being aggressive and also my serve. So it’s definitely going to be a battle of who wants to take control of the point first — and I think it’s going to be me.”