Naomi Osaka described the moment as “feels kind of special,” reflecting her excitement at facing Coco Gauff again at the US Open. Their last meeting at Flushing Meadows in 2019 ended with Osaka on top, and this year many fans hoped the result would swing Gauff’s way. Instead, Osaka once again proved dominant, defeating the American in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) to reach the quarterfinals.
The loss was a disappointment for Gauff’s supporters, but several former American pros had already predicted this outcome. In a recent discussion on the Nothing Major Show, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock broke down why Gauff never really stood a chance against a resurgent Osaka.
Sock pointed to Gauff’s serve as her biggest weakness, saying, “She’s got to find that serve.” Querrey echoed this view, explaining that fans may have overestimated Gauff’s chances after her third-round win, while overlooking Osaka’s strong form after reaching the Canadian final. Johnson admitted he also expected Osaka to dominate, even if it wasn’t easy to say so publicly.
Johnson further noted that Gauff’s serving struggles affected every part of her game, putting pressure on her forehand, backhand, and movement until her performance broke down. Still, he emphasized there’s plenty of time for the young star to rebound, reminding fans that Gauff is already a Grand Slam champion and ranked No. 3 in the world.