Naomi Osaka booked her place in the last eight with a straight sets win over Julia Grabher in the ASB Classic in Auckland on Wednesday. The four-time Grand Slam winner, who had her 2024 season curtailed by a back injury, did not drop her serve against the Austrian. Osaka had to endure a lengthy rain delay after taking a tight opening set 7-5. She broke Grabher’s serve in the sixth game after the resumption and served out to win 6-3. It is the Japanese star’s first quarter-final appearance in six months, and she said on wtatennis.com: “I’m not a really confrontational person. But, when you’re on the court, it’s like you’re in a boxing match. “You need to have the will to fight more than the other person and I feel like I finally found that again. I think I’m ready for the battle.” Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin went out as she lost 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-3) to Clara Tauson in a marathon clash. (PA Media/DPA)
