In the end, the Japanese trailblazer pulled off several firsts.
First of all, she’s into her first final since becoming a mom. Since coming back at the start of 2024, her best results had been two quarterfinals, first in Doha last February, then at the grass-court event in ’s-Hertogenbosch last June.
Secondly, it’s actually her first final since Miami in 2022. She fell to Iga Swiatek in that final almost three years ago, after which the Pole rose to No. 1 for the first time. Osaka will now chase her first title since the 2021 Australian Open.
And finally, a first that Osaka described herself in her post-match interview after the victory over Parks: “Of course I’m really happy to get through to the final, but I’ve actually never gotten to the final of the tournament the week before Melbourne,” she said, “so this is like a career-first for me.”
This will be Osaka’s 12th career final. She’s 7-4 in her first 11.
