Osaka Aims to Boost Toronto Performance with Eye on US Open

Naomi Osaka is setting her sights on a strong showing at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto, hoping to build on recent successes and gain momentum as the US Open draws near. The Japanese star, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is coming off a semi-final run in Washington and is eager to improve her historical performance in Toronto, where her best result was a quarter-final appearance in 2019.

"I did better than last year in DC, so I'm just hoping to keep the ball rolling," Osaka stated. "I haven't historically played super, super well here, so I'm just hoping to change that this year." She aims to treat the Toronto event separately from her runner-up finish in Montreal last year, focusing on the present opportunity.

Seeded 11th, Osaka is strategically using the Canadian hard court swing to prepare for the August 31 start of the US Open. After taking an extended maternity leave in 2023, she has been working to regain her top form, reaching the US Open semi-finals last year and achieving a career-best quarter-final at Wimbledon this year, alongside a fourth-round appearance at the French Open.

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I did better than last year in DC, so I'm just hoping to keep the ball rolling. I haven't historically played super, super well here, so I'm just hoping to change that this year.

"I would just hope to gain a lot of confidence leading into New York," she said. "I lost my last match, but it's helped me figure out what I want to do exactly, or how I want to take my tennis." Osaka's path in Toronto could see her face strong opponents, including second seed Elena Rybakina and fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, as she navigates the draw.

Osaka's opening match is against Hungary's Panna Uvardy. The tournament also features top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who is looking to reassert her dominance on hard courts after recent Grand Slam results. The draw is packed with talent, including Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, setting the stage for a competitive week of tennis.

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I would just hope to gain a lot of confidence leading into New York. I lost my last match, but it's helped me figure out what I want to do exactly, or how I want to take my tennis.