Naomi Osaka of Japan looks on during a women's singles match against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States during day three of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn, Getty Images/AFP
WASHINGTON DC -- Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka rallied past Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto to reach the semifinals of the Mubadala DC Open on Friday.
Osaka had to battle back from a set down before ousting Cocciaretto, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, and set up a showdown against rising star Alex Eala in the last four.
Ahead of Eala's own quarterfinal match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Osaka said she is looking forward to a first-ever meeting with the Filipina, should she emerge triumphant.
"I've never played Alex before, but obviously I've seen some of her matches," said Osaka. "She's had an incredible year so far. Honestly, playing her would be really fun for me, just to get that knowledge about how she is."
Eala went on to eliminate Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, to reach her third semifinal of the year.
READ: Alex Eala stuns Svitolina, advances to DC Open semis
The 21-year-old was once again boosted by a large contingent of Filipino fans, and Osaka said she has enjoyed watching the atmosphere that follows Eala wherever she plays.
"I remember watching one of her matches last year at the US Open, and it was kind of mind-blowing," said Osaka. "I didn't think tennis could have an atmosphere like that. It almost felt more like a basketball game.
"I've kind of routinely wanted to check in on her—not personally—but just to keep following her story and see how she's growing," she added.
Eala, for her part, is also looking forward to playing Osaka, highlighting her influence both on and off the court.
"She is of course such an accomplished player and I think she's made waves on and off the tennis court for so many reasons. There's so much respect to her for that," said Eala. "I'm really excited."
The other semifinal in the WTA side of the tournament will feature world No. 3 Jessica Pegula against fourth-seeded Diana Shnaider.
Pegula eliminated 20th-ranked Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 7-5, to reach her sixth WTA semi-final of the year.
Shnaider, meanwhile, beat Russian compatriot Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-4.
In the ATP side of the event, defending Alex de Minaur and second-seeded Ben Shelton were bounced out.
Top-seeded Aussie de Minaur was left to rue his missed chances in a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 loss to 33rd-ranked American Brandon Nakashima.
Chile's 30th-ranked Alejandro Tabilo recovered an early break in the third set to beat US home favorite Shelton 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Nakashima booked a Saturday all-American semi-final against 10th-ranked Taylor Fritz, who saved a match point in a 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) victory over compatriot Alex Michelsen.
-- reports from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News; Agence France-Presse