The upcoming quarterfinal battle between tenth seed Elina Svitolina and unseeded Naomi Osaka in Montreal promises to reignite a competitive rivalry. With seven previous meetings and Osaka narrowly leading the head-to-head, both players bring momentum and experience into a match that could shape the tournament’s final stages.
Svitolina Hunts for Second Canadian Crown
Elina Svitolina has been flawless so far in Montreal, powering through three rounds without dropping a set. Her latest triumph came against fifth seed Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round, marking her 35th victory of the season. A previous Rogers Cup champion in 2017, Svitolina is aiming to replicate that success, fueled by consistent form and tactical precision.
Currently ranked 13th in the WTA, the Ukrainian’s recent title run in Rouen has only sharpened her game. She also holds three career wins over Osaka, though she has not beaten the Japanese star in their last two encounters.
Osaka Chasing Return to the Top
Naomi Osaka is enjoying a resurgence after a strong showing this week in Montreal. The four-time Grand Slam champion has dropped only one set in four matches at the Canadian Open. Her run includes commanding wins over high-caliber opponents like Jelena Ostapenko, Liudmila Samsonova, and, most recently, Anastasija Sevastova, whom she defeated by dropping just a single game.
Having climbed 15 places to 34th in the live WTA rankings, Osaka is edging closer to her previous elite status. Her last WTA 1000 semifinal appearance came in 2022, and she’ll be determined to break that drought. The 27-year-old is also riding the confidence of having won her last two matches against Svitolina, including their most recent meeting in Miami last season.
A History of Close Contests
The rivalry between these two stars has consistently delivered thrilling tennis. Their seven prior matches—all on hard courts—have typically been tightly contested, with both athletes holding three wins each before Osaka edged ahead in their most recent encounters.
Their nearly identical 14-5 records on hard courts this year underscore how evenly matched they are. Moreover, both players are difficult to shut out—Osaka has taken at least one set in 25 of her last 27 matches, while Svitolina has won a set in 15 of her previous 17 outings.
Prediction and Match Odds
Bookmakers have pegged this encounter as a virtual toss-up:
- Elina Svitolina: 50.33% chance of winning | Odds: 1.7 (Vbet)
- Naomi Osaka: 49.67% chance of winning | Odds: 2.3 (William Hill)
Given the balanced odds and their head-to-head history, this is expected to be one of the most competitive fixtures of the tournament.
Prediction
With both players in solid form and equally adept on hard courts, the most probable outcome is a grueling three-set match. Their previous clashes and similar 2025 records suggest neither will yield easily, making a deciding set highly likely.
Prediction: Match to go to three sets.