Coco Gauff vs Naomi Osaka Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Osaka tipped to win R16 blockbuster

Third seed Gauff won her maiden major title at the US Open in 2023, while Osaka is a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, taking home the silverware in 2018 with that famous win over Serena Williams before doubling down in 2020. Much has changed for Osaka since those triumphs, but the Japanese is back on an upward trajectory and is looking as dangerous as ever, while Gauff has experienced a tough last couple of months since collecting her second major title at Roland Garros - especially on serve, a shot that has been highly scrutinised in recent times.

I'm liking Osaka for the upset here. As mentioned, Gauff has been enduring the 'yips' on serve and in the pressure moments, Osaka can take advantage. Osaka won 24 of 33 points against Daria Kasatkina's second serve in the third round, so she's ripping the ball with confidence on return. Osaka is also coming off a run to the final in Montreal and is generally playing superb tennis. Gauff simply hasn't been anywhere near her best outside of three tournaments on clay this season. This feels like Osaka's time to make a statement again.

Gauff leads 3-2. Osaka won their first ever meeting at the 2019 US Open when Gauff was just 15 years of age. The American has turned the tables, prevailing in the last couple of meetings - although their last completed match came back in 2022 in San Jose.

Gauff has put together a 38-12 record on the season, securing her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and coming into this clash at No. 3 in the world.

You certainly can't complain about that, but Gauff hasn't been in great form for the bulk of the season.

Indeed, 17 of her 38 wins came at three tournaments during the clay swing in Madrid, Rome and the French Open.

Gauff hasn't been past the quarter-finals in any of her seven tournaments this year on hardcourt.

The American has experienced a shaky start to her US Open campaign - she needed three sets against Ajla Tomljanovic in the opening round and there were tears during her second round win over Donna Vekic. Gauff had a more straightforward 6-3 6-1 win over Magdalena Frech in the third round, but her opponent has been in poor form all year.

Osaka has compiled a 30-12 record on the season heading into this encounter, improving her ranking to No. 23 in the world - the highest it's been since returning to the tour after maternity leave.

The former World No. 1 has repeatedly faced roadblocks over the last couple of years as she aims to get back to the top of the game.

However, things might just be taking a turn - Osaka defeated four top 30 players on her way to the WTA 1000 final in Montreal a few weeks ago, going down to Victoria Mboko.

Osaka has continued her fine form in New York, easing past Greet Minnen and Hailey Baptiste in straight sets before overcoming Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. The 27-year-old's form revival has coincided with hiring new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, who began working with Osaka in Montreal.