Coco Gauff believes better times lie ahead despite a chastening loss to a resurgent Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of the US Open.
This was the most anticipated match of the tournament so far but it lasted only 64 minutes, with Osaka racing to a 6-3 6-2 victory for her biggest grand slam result in more than four years.
While the Japanese star produced a strong performance, losing just six points on serve in the contest, this was a horror show from Gauff in front of her home fans, the American making 33 unforced errors and crashing out in the fourth round for the second year in a row.
Naomi Osaka wins the showdown on Ashe! pic.twitter.com/XRkj8oKWKs
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2025
Gauff won her second grand slam title at the French Open in June but has struggled since with serving problems, something she has been trying to address during the tournament with the help of biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan.
It has taken its toll on the 21-year-old, who was in tears during and after her second-round win over Donna Vekic, and she admitted she broke down again in front of her team after rushing off Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Naomi played well,” said Gauff. “Today was disappointing because I felt it was the best I served all tournament. Off the ground I think I just made way too many mistakes.
“I feel like that’s the part of my game that I felt the most confident in coming into the tournament. So it was kind of a weird match, feeling confident in different areas swapping.
“For sure it was not the level that I wanted to bring, but it is a step in the right direction I feel, and I think, emotionally, how much this week was, I think today I just stepped in and I maybe was a little bit empty.
“Today I’m excited because
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