AUCKLAND — Former world number one Naomi Osaka reached her first semifinal since 2022 after fighting back at the Auckland Classic on Friday.
The four-time Grand Slam champion beat unseeded American Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2 in another confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
ON A ROLL Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates her win against Hailey Baptiste of the US in the quarterfinal match of the ASB Classic WTA 250 tennis tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, on Jan. 3, 2025. AP PHOTO