Osaka in last eight after win over Gauff

Naomi Osaka turned back the clock in New York, producing the cleanest big-stage performance of her comeback from maternity leave to overwhelm Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in a blockbuster fourth-round meeting inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

- Bryan Armen Graham

In front of a packed 23,771-seat arena, the two stars - who between them own three of the past seven US Open championships - reprised a rivalry that began with their famous encounter here in 2019. This time there were no tears, no consolations, only the sight of a four-times major champion dictating terms again on the sport's biggest stage.

Gauff, 21 and seeded third, is the same age Osaka was when she broke the teenager's heart six years ago on the same court. Then, the Japanese-born American No 1 had comforted the 15-year-old wildcard in a moment that went viral. Yesterday the generosity stopped at the baseline. Osaka dominated from the first ball, ripping returns and taking control of rallies before the crowd could rouse their favourite. She breezed through her opening service games with the authority that once lifted her to the summit of the sport, winning 16 of her first 18 service points, and her confident body language stood in stark contrast to the stressed figure she has sometimes appeared since her return.