Osaka in semis

MANILA, Philippines — Former world number one Naomi Osaka reached her first semifinal since 2022 after fighting back at the Auckland Classic on Friday.

The four-time Grand Slam champion beat unseeded American Hailey Baptiste 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2 in another confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Osaka said her hard work was starting to pay off after booking a place in the final four of a WTA event for the first time since the Miami Open in April 2022.