Osaka reaches first final since 2022 ahead of Australian open

Former world number one Naomi Osaka delivered a commanding performance at the Auckland Classic, defeating unseeded American Alycia Parks 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday to reach her first final since 2022.  

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who took a break from tennis in 2023 to focus on motherhood, has made an impressive comeback.

Her confident display in the semi-final marks a significant milestone ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 12 in Melbourne.

In her first semi-final appearance since returning to the sport last year, the 27-year-old Osaka appeared composed and in control, shedding the nerves evident in her earlier matches in Auckland.

She now faces Denmark’s Clara Tauson in Sunday’s final, aiming to secure her first title in over two years.

Osaka’s resurgence is a promising sign as she prepares to compete among the world’s best once again.

“Of course I’m really happy to get to the final here, I’ve actually never got to a final a week before Melbourne so this is like a career first for me,” said Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion now ranked 57th.

“In my head I’m really happy. But there’s always constantly things to improve to get better, no matter how old you are.”

Osaka’s power and precision proved too much for the 78th-ranked Parks.

The American faded in what was her second match of the day, having had her quarter-final pushed back by rain on Friday.

Osaka’s four wins this week have come against opponents ranked below her at a tournament lacking a strong field.

That will change in the final against 50th-ranked Tauson, who beat unseeded American Robin Montgomery 6-4, 6-3 in the other semi-final.

Earlier in the day, Tauson toppled American top seed Madison Keys 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) in a quarter-final that was interrupted by rain on Friday night.