The 2025 ASB Classic semifinal between Naomi Osaka and Alycia Parks was a compelling encounter, marking a significant milestone in Osaka’s comeback journey. In a match that showcased Osaka’s resilience and tactical prowess, she secured a straight-sets victory, 6-4, 6-2, over the American
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, entered the tournament as the seventh seed, aiming to regain her form after a hiatus from the sport. Her path to the semifinals included wins over Lina Glushko, Julia Grabher, and a hard-fought three-setter against Hailey Baptiste. In the semifinal, Osaka demonstrated her ability to handle pressure, saving nine out of ten break points and converting four of six opportunities to break Parks’ serve .
Parks, ranked 82nd at the time, had an impressive run to the semifinals, defeating higher-ranked opponents such as Amanda Anisimova and Katie Volynets. However, the semifinal match proved challenging for her, especially after having played her quarterfinal earlier the same day due to weather delays . Despite her powerful serve, Parks struggled with consistency, winning only 30% of her second-serve points compared to Osaka’s 50% .
Osaka’s victory in the semifinal was not just a testament to her skill but also her mental fortitude. She expressed her satisfaction with reaching the final, stating, “I’m really happy. There’s always constantly things to improve or to get better, no matter how old you are” .
In the final, Osaka faced Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Unfortunately, after winning the first set 6-4, Osaka had to retire from the match, handing Tauson the title . Despite the setback, Osaka’s performance in Auckland signaled a promising return to form, offering optimism for her prospects in the upcoming Australian Open and the rest of the season.