Emma Raducanu defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-2 in their Round of 16 encounter at the DC Open. This was arguably the most anticipated match of the day in Washington, as it featured two Grand Slam champions who had both claimed their major titles in the United States: Osaka at the US Open in 2018 and 2020, and Raducanu in 2021.
The world No. 46 capitalized on a couple of crucial breaks to secure a decisive victory in an entertaining match that captivated the center court. Raducanu's win guarantees her a spot in the quarterfinals and a rise in the rankings to world No. 39. With this, Raducanu once again becomes the British No. 1, maintaining a close battle with Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal for the top national ranking.
First Set: Raducanu capitalizes on Osaka's serve struggles
The first set began with Osaka struggling to hold serve, showing less conviction than Raducanu, but managing to get ahead early at 2-1. At that point, Raducanu seized the momentum. In the beginning of her second service game, she started a positive run, winning 12 of the next 14 points to take a 4-2 lead after a simple break.
Osaka's first serves were a significant challenge; despite winning an impressive 91% of points when her first serve landed, she only managed to get her first serve in on 39% of her service points. Raducanu's aggression allowed her to quickly counter and take the initiative in points. Double faults were another headache for the Japanese star, who totaled 5 double faults throughout the set.
Both players held their serve until the end of the set, and Raducanu went into the break with a 6-4 lead. The Brit had landed 4 aces, with a 68% first-serve percentage and winning 78% of those points – numbers that never gave the four-time Grand Slam champion a real chance to get back into the set.
Second Set: Raducanu's mental strength seals the win
The second set began with Osaka still struggling on serve, and Raducanu capitalized on the momentum to secure an early break and take the lead. The 2021 US Open champion went up 2-0 on her serve, and things looked increasingly difficult for Osaka. Although she increased her first-serve percentage to 55%, she still couldn't find solutions to her opponent's serve.
Osaka had real struggles with her serve during the whole match
In the fourth game, Naomi Osaka had her first break opportunity of the match, but Raducanu saved it with a strong run of points. The break then came immediately in Raducanu's favor, showing her composure even when things seemed complicated. In just a few minutes, she went from facing a break point to taking a virtually unrecoverable 5-1 lead after securing a second break.
Osaka had to serve to stay in the match and faced a match point on her serve but managed to save it and stay alive. However, it was of little use, as Raducanu had the courage to go for the win in the final moments, closing out the 6-4, 6-2 victory in a tight final game.
Quarterfinal Test: Raducanu faces familiar foe Sakkari
In the quarterfinals, Raducanu faces none other than former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari. The Greek has been showing doubts in her level for some time and hasn't had a great year, falling to world No. 90 this week. However, this week she has shown she can rediscover her form at 29 years old, securing two more than notable victories.
Sakkari received a wildcard to enter the main draw of the tournament and has already defeated Katie Boulter (No. 41) in the first round (6-3, 6-4). In the second round, she eliminated local second seed Emma Navarro (No. 11) in a tight match (7-5, 7-6(1)).
Raducanu and Sakkari have faced each other three times so far, with the Brit winning all encounters. Their first match was precisely in the 2021 US Open semifinals, where Sakkari seemed like the favorite as the 17th seed but couldn't overcome Raducanu's inspired play, which ultimately led to her title. Subsequent matches at Wimbledon 2024 and Dubai this year also resulted in victories for the Brit, with Sakkari yet to take a set off her.
Match Statistics Raducanu vs. Osaka
| Raducanu | VS | Osaka |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 4 | Aces | 5 |
| 1 | Double Faults | 7 |
| 70% (38/54) | 1st Service Percentage | 46% (24/52) |
| 74% (28/38) | 1st Service Points Won | 88% (21/24) |
| 56% (9/16) | 2nd Service Points Won | 32% (9/28) |
| 100% (2/2) | Break Points Saved | 25% (1/4) |
| 100% (8/8) | Service Games | 67% (6/9) |
| Return | ||
| 13% (3/24) | 1st Return Points Won | 26% (10/38) |
| 68% (19/28) | 2nd Return Points Won | 44% (7/16) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 1h 16m | Match Duration | 1h 16m |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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