Could Tauson Stun Keys? Facing Osaka in Montreal Semifinals

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Clara Tauson defeats Madison Keys to advance in the tournament.
- She achieved multiple Top 10 victories in one tournament for the first time.
- Naomi Osaka also advances, marking her first Canadian Open semifinal.
- Osaka and Tauson have faced each other previously in Auckland.
- This semifinal features two unseeded players for the first time since 2021.
Montreal, Aug 6 (NationPress) Clara Tauson achieved a remarkable victory, defeating the reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys with a score of 6-1, 6-4 at the Canadian Open, propelling her into the semifinals of the WTA 1000 for the second time in 2025.
Tauson secured the first set in a mere 27 minutes. The second set presented more of a challenge, yet Keys’ late surge was insufficient to turn the tide. With consecutive victories over Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, Tauson has recorded multiple Top 10 wins in a single tournament for the first time in her career, marking her entry into a seventh WTA semifinal, according to WTA reports.
Next up for Tauson is a matchup against Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, who secured her own place in the semifinals with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over No. 10 seed Elina Svitolina.
This win marks Osaka's fifth victory against Svitolina in eight encounters, allowing her to reach the Canadian Open semifinal for the first time. Overall, it signifies Osaka's sixth appearance in a WTA 1000 semifinal, her first since Miami in 2022.
Additionally, Victoria Mboko also advanced to the semifinals on Monday, making it the first occasion since 2021 that two unseeded players have reached the semifinals at the Canadian Open, following in the footsteps of Jessica Pegula and Camila Giorgi.
Reflecting on her upcoming match against Tauson, Osaka remarked, “She’s really tough. I faced her in Auckland this year and had to retire halfway due to injury. I’m thrilled to be healthy now and hope for a great match for everyone watching.”
This semifinal clash will be their second encounter; Tauson triumphed in their initial matchup in Auckland earlier this year, where Osaka had to retire after winning the first set 6-4.