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Emma Raducanu defeated Naomi Osaka 6–4, 6–2 at the Washington Open, advancing to the quarterfinals. Osaka’s playful post-match response highlighted their parallels.
Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu (X)
In a long-anticipated showdown between two of tennis’s most commercially powerful—and frequently scrutinized—young stars, Emma Raducanu defeated Naomi Osaka 6–4, 6–2 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Washington Open.
It marked their first-ever career meeting, and Raducanu delivered a sharp, composed performance to outplay the four-time Grand Slam champion.
But while the match added another impressive win to Raducanu’s comeback arc, it was Naomi Osaka’s tongue-in-cheek response to a pointed post-match question that stole the show.
Speaking to Bounces newsletter, Osaka was asked to reflect on the parallels often drawn between herself and Raducanu.
Osaka responded coolly, if not a bit playfully: “I won my second slam after I won my first slam.”
For Raducanu, Thursday’s win was more than symbolic—it was proof of progress.
“I thought it was going to be a really difficult match,” she told Sky Sports. “Naomi’s won four slams, she’s been world number one, won Masters. She’s so dangerous and on the hard courts, I think she’s particularly comfortable.”
“I’m really pleased with how I handled the ball speed and conditions here in D.C.,” she added.
Both players skyrocketed to global fame after major Grand Slam wins—Osaka with her 2018 U.S. Open title and Raducanu with her historic 2021 U.S. Open triumph—and both have faced career turbulence and inconsistency in the years that followed.
Still, the statistical and cultural parallels between the two remain striking. Both are ranked outside the top 40—Raducanu currently at No. 46, Osaka at No. 51—and neither has won a tour-level title since their respective 2021 Slam victories.
Their rankings have often hovered in the same range, largely due to extended absences—Raducanu due to injuries and surgery, Osaka due to mental health breaks and maternity leave.
Raducanu’s Next Test
At the DC Open, Raducanu faces Maria Sakkari next, the former world No. 3, in the quarterfinals after the Greek stunned second seed Emma Navarro in straight sets.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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