The 27-year-old Japanese woman, who lives and grew up in the USA, has had to struggle to find her top game and above all stability after her year-long break in 2023.
When Osaka, 24 on the world ranking, reached the third round in Wimbledon in July, it was her best result in Grand Slam context after the comeback.
In New York, everything has fallen into place and already Monday's place in the fourth round was a success for the five-time Grand Slam winner.
Now it will be at least one step better.
I'm a little emotional and don't want to cry. It hasn't always been easy, but my team has always been behind me, she says in the stadium interview in Eurosport's broadcast.
The two-time US Open winner dominated greatly against 2023's winner Coco Gauff, the Paris winner earlier in the summer.
World number three Gauff has felt the pressure from the home crowd and had an emotional rollercoaster ride in the US Open.
On Monday evening, it was mostly downhill.
Also, second-seeded Iga Swiatek, Poland, is ready for the quarterfinals after 6–3, 6–1 over 13th-seeded Russian Jekaterina Alexandrova.
