Naomi Osaka advanced to her first WTA final since 2022 with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over Alycia Parks in the semi-finals of the ASB Classic in Auckland.
In Sunday’s final, Osaka will face Denmark’s Clara Tauson.
Her win also marked her first semi-final appearance since the 2022 Miami Open, where she defeated Belinda Bencic before losing to Iga Swiatek in the final.
A four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka is aiming to capture her first title since the 2021 Australian Open.
Following her semi-final triumph, she has climbed back into the top 50 of the WTA rankings, improving from No. 57.
Osaka had announced her pregnancy just before the 2023 Australian Open, stepping away from the sport.
After returning to competition at the 2024 Brisbane International, she faced challenges in regaining her former world No. 1 form.
Naomi Osaka’s impressive win over Alycia Parks in the semi-finals of the ASB Classic marks a significant milestone in her comeback, as she advances to her first WTA final since 2022.
