"I don't think I've been this focused since Australia," Osaka told Gauff, jokingly apologizing to his opponent.
Gauff made several mistakes on the pitch, not least seven doubles, in one of the most hype matches in the tournament so far. The star shot, just 15 years old, made his sixth grand slam match and seemed satisfied with his efforts after all.
"She played fantastic and I will learn a lot from this match," said a teary eyed Gauff afterwards.
For Osaka, Swiss Belinda Bencic, seeded 13, is waiting in the sixteenth.