New York
Defending champion Naomi Osaka consoled a tearful Coco Gauff after a crushing US Open victory Saturday in a showdown billed as “the future of women´s tennis”, while Rafael Nadal cruised into the last 16.
World number one Osaka overpowered 15-year-old Gauff 6-3, 6-0 in 65 minutes to keep her title defense on track before sharing a warm embrace with an opponent overwrought by the occasion in the New York spotlight.
The emotional clash was followed by tearful on-court interviews, Osaka asking Gauff to join her with the microphone as they met at the net.
“I said no because I knew I was going to cry the whole time, but she encouraged me to do it,” tearful Gauff said after Osaka talked her into it.
“It was amazing, she did amazing and I am going to learn a lot from this match. She has been so sweet to me, so thank you for this.”
Osaka, fighting back her own tears, spoke to Gauff´s parents, saying: “You guys raised an amazing player. I remember I used to see you guys training. Both of us made it and we´re still working hard.—Agencies
