It’s the four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1’s first final since becoming a mom, too.

The former world No. 1 rallied from a set down at the ASB Classic and put herself two wins away from her first title since the 2021 Australian Open.

Osaka overcame a swirling breeze and a lengthy rain break to progress comfortably, 7-5, 6-3, in a match where she was never broken.

Second-seeded Elise Mertens also pulled out of the Australian Open tune-up tournament.

The four-time Grand Slam champion made a winning return to the court after an almost three-month absence in the first round of the ASB tennis classic in Auckland.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka says she won’t “hang around” in tennis if her results fail to match her high expectations

The third-ranked Gauff became only the fourth player to win back-to-back singles in Auckland, achieving the feat at the age of 19.

Svitolina was supported from court-side throughout the week by husband Gael Monfils who will play the men's Auckland Classic which starts Monday.

It’s another first for the American teenager: successfully defending a WTA title for the first time in her career.

Gauff needed only 62 minutes to sweep past fourth-seeded Emma Navarro, and now has won 18 straight sets and nine consecutive matches over two years in Auckland.

The US Open champion returned to the early-season final, losing just two points on her first serve.