Clara Tauson Beats Keys to Reach Canadian Open Semis in Emotional Fashion

Tauson defeats Keys for second straight top-10 victory

Clara Tauson is writing one of the most heartfelt and impressive stories on tour this summer. The Danish star is through to the semi-finals of the Canadian Open in Montreal after dismantling Madison Keys 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday. The win marks Tauson’s second consecutive victory over a top-10 player and secures just her second career appearance in a WTA 1000 semi-final.

Seeded 16th at the event, Tauson had already made headlines in the previous round by toppling world No. 2 and tournament favourite Iga Swiatek. But this latest triumph came with even deeper emotion. The 22-year-old revealed post-match that she had been grieving a personal loss, adding a poignant layer to her run.

“Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away,” Tauson said. “So I really wanted to win for him today. I was told the day after I beat Swiatek, so yesterday, and I really wanted to come out here and show my best tennis for him. Hopefully he’s watching.”

Clinical Clara too strong for Keys

Naomi Osaka tauson

On the court, Tauson was business-like from the first ball. She took control early against sixth seed Keys, converting both of her break point chances and wrapping up the first set in just over 30 minutes.

Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, appeared flat and unable to respond to Tauson’s aggression and precision. The American dropped her serve early in the second set and never truly recovered. Tauson, composed and focused, served out the match with minimal fuss, delivering her second straight victory over a top-10 opponent without dropping a set.

Currently ranked 19th in the world, Tauson has been touted as a future top-10 player herself, and this Canadian Open campaign is proving exactly why.

Naomi Osaka next for Tauson in high-stakes semi-final

Tauson’s reward for her standout performances? A clash with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who reached the Canadian Open semi-finals for the first time in her career with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win over Elina Svitolina.

Osaka looked composed and confident as she took the court in Montreal, controlling the tempo of the match from start to finish. The 10th-seeded Svitolina struggled with unforced errors and couldn’t keep up with Osaka’s pace and accuracy.

After a break apiece in the first set, Osaka shifted gears and reeled off several games in a row, breaking twice more in the second. She closed out the match with minimal resistance from the Ukrainian.

“I think for me, I’m just having a lot of fun playing and I’m really glad to be here,” Osaka said after the match. “She’s [Tauson] really tough. I played her in Auckland this year and I had to stop halfway because I was injured. So I’m really excited that I’m healthy and I hope that it’s a good match for everyone that comes and watches.”

Svitolina speaks out against online abuse

After her loss, Elina Svitolina took to social media to express her frustration—not at her performance, but at the post-match abuse she received. The 30-year-old Ukrainian shared screenshots of disturbing messages sent by angry gamblers, who had bet on her to win.

“To all the bettors: I’m a mom before I’m an athlete,” she wrote on Instagram. “The way you talk to women—to mothers—is shameful. If your moms saw your messages, they’d be disgusted.”

Her post has drawn wide support from fans and players alike, reigniting the ongoing conversation around online abuse in professional sports.

Fritz and Shelton headline men’s semi-finals in Toronto

While the women battle it out in Montreal, the men’s action is heating up in Toronto. American second seed Taylor Fritz moved into the semis with a solid 6-3, 7-6(4) win over Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev.

Fritz played with control and power, particularly on serve, where he gave Rublev little opportunity to gain momentum. After grabbing the first set with an early break, Fritz remained steady in the second and took control of the tie-break to seal the match.

He’ll now face fellow American Ben Shelton, who is enjoying a breakout run of his own. The fourth seed reached his first-ever Masters 1000 semi-final with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 win over Australia’s Alex de Minaur, the ninth seed.

Shelton dominated from the baseline and showed off his ever-improving net game. His all-court style has made him one of the most exciting young players on the ATP Tour, and his clash with Fritz promises to be a high-octane affair.

Looking ahead: A weekend packed with drama

With Clara Tauson and Naomi Osaka facing off in a high-stakes semi-final in Montreal, and Fritz vs Shelton headlining the action in Toronto, tennis fans are in for a dramatic weekend of action.

For Tauson, the stakes go beyond rankings or trophies. She’s playing with heart, resilience, and a sense of purpose few can match. And for Osaka, it’s about rebuilding and returning to the top with joy and freedom.

Regardless of the outcomes, these stories—of comeback, loss, strength, and pride—are what make sport so compelling.

We’ll be watching.