Naomi Osaka is into her first WTA Tour-level semi-final since 2022 after she overcame Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2-7) 6-1 6-2 at the Auckland Open.
Osaka fell behind to her American opponent on Friday, but the former world number one hit back in style, securing five breaks of serve across the last two sets.
The 27-year-old managed two quarter-finals last year, but had not reached the last four of a Tour-level tournament since the Miami Open in 2022.
She beat Belinda Bencic on that occasion, before going down in the final to Iga Swiatek.
Osaka to the semis @naomiosaka battles back to defeat Baptiste 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 and reaches the semifinals in Auckland.#ASBClassic25 pic.twitter.com/wqWZE5SMqL
— wta (@WTA) January 3, 2025
And while she had her frustrations on the Tour last season, Osaka believes the hard work she has put in since returning from her maternity leave is now paying off.
"I think the key focuses that I had were just to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself," Osaka said.
"I think I put a lot of work in throughout last year, and even though the results didn’t show it, I think I'm just continuing to, I guess, try as hard as I can and see where it gets me.
"In a weird way I’m glad to have played a three-set match because I think that’s kind of the experience I need."
Osaka will play on Saturday for a place in Sunday's final, as she targets her first title since she won the 2021 Australian Open.
