Defending champion Naomi Osaka consoled a tearful Coco Gauff after a crushing US Open victory in a showdown billed as "the future of women's tennis" while Rafael Nadal cruised into the last 16.
World number one Osaka overpowered 15-year-old Gauff 6-3, 6-0 in 65 minutes to keep her title defense on track before sharing a warm embrace with an opponent overwhelmed by the occasion in the New York spotlight.
The emotional clash was followed by tearful on-court interviews, Osaka asking Gauff to join her with the microphone as they met at the net.
"It was kind of instinctive because when I shook her hand, I saw that she was kind of tearing up a little. Then it reminded me how young she was," Osaka said.
"I wanted her to have her head high, not walk off the court sad. I want her to, like, be aware that she's accomplished so much and she's still so young."
"This is the most focused I've been since Australia," Osaka said, telling Gauff: "Sorry for playing you in this mentality."
"She's the number one player in the world right now, so I know what I need to do to get to that level."
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"I'm trying to play a little bit more aggressive and a little bit less than before."
"I've been through a lot with injuries and have just taken everything I've learned from the past couple of years and brought it into this year."
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