Naomi Osaka sets up mouthwatering Coco Gauff US Open showdown, but Simona Halep fails again

Michael Graham
Naomi Osaka playing at US Open

Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff are set for a potentially sensational US Open meeting after they both came through their second round matches on Thursday.

Defending champion Osaka was in dominant mood, sweeping Magda Linette aside 6-2, 6-4.

“I feel like I had my moments where I played really well,” Osaka said.

“I think the main thing for me was that I was able to adjust whenever I figured out something was going wrong, so I think I’m heading in the right direction.”

Osaka will now face a mouthwatering clash with teenage sensation Coco Gauff after the 15-year-old beat Timea Babos 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in a brilliant match on Armstrong.

Simona Halep continued her relatively poor record at the US Open, though, losing to American world number 116 Taylor Townsend 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

“I was not inspired at all today, but I fought,” said Halep.

“I thought when I came back that I will take it and I will win it. But sometimes it goes the other way.

For Townsend, though, it was a special victory.

“This means a lot,” she admitted. “It has been a long journey.

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