Naomi Osaka, of Japan, reacts after defeating Jelena Ostapenko, of Latvia, in the course of the first spherical of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photograph/Seth Wenig)
NEW YORK — A 12 months in the past, nonetheless on maternity depart and nonetheless not sure when she would play elite tennis once more, Naomi Osaka visited the US Open to seem with Michael Phelps for a dialogue about psychological well being. Whereas on the website, she sat within the stands to look at certainly one of Coco Gauff’s matches.
Osaka additionally already was serious about being again on a court docket at Flushing Meadows, a lot in order that she was pondering what she may wish to put on to compete. And there she was Tuesday at Louis Armstrong Stadium, overpowering No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2 whereas decked out, from her visor to her gown to the bows on her again and connected to her sneakers, in lime inexperienced — the colour of this “ Brat ” summer season, because it occurs (IYKYK) — and taking part in very very similar to a two-time champion on the place and a former No. 1-ranked star.
“I really feel like with the ability to be part of (designing) my tennis outfits offers me, I’d say, a unique power, particularly the US Open outfits. I really feel like they’re a bit of bit extra flamboyant. After I was placing on my outfit right now, I used to be, like, ‘Ah, I hope this isn’t an excessive amount of,’” Osaka mentioned with a smile. “As a result of I had the tutu, after which I had the bow jacket and it was inexperienced. I really feel like everybody was watching me.”
READ: Naomi Osaka feels higher as she returns to US Open
One other participant requested for a photograph, Osaka mentioned, including: “I hope it was a constructive image (and) it wasn’t, like, ‘Oh, my God, have a look at her.’ For me, after I placed on the outfit, it’s virtually like an excellent swimsuit, so I attempt to channel that.”
Did that properly sufficient Tuesday to register her first victory towards a top-10 opponent in additional than 4 years.
Osaka claimed titles in New York in 2018 and 2020, together with a pair of trophies on the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, and her matchup towards 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko marked the primary time two previous main champs confronted off within the opening spherical on the US Open since Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 5 years in the past. One other such contest got here Tuesday evening, when 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin beat 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
“Having two wins right here means quite a bit, and I feel for me, I’ve been scuffling with confidence all year long,” mentioned Osaka, who returned to motion on the Australian Open in January, her first Grand Slam look in practically 1 1/2 years due to psychological well being breaks and time away to have a child. “This time now forces me to look within the mirror and say, ‘Hey, you’ve finished very well right here. There’s no cause why you may’t do properly once more.’”
How’s this for doing properly? Osaka didn’t make a single unforced error within the first set and completed with solely 5, 16 fewer than Ostapenko.
“I do bear in mind considering, ‘I must win this match so I can put on my different colour.’ That was essential to me,” mentioned Osaka, who’s ranked 88th and acquired a wild-card invitation from the US Tennis Affiliation. “I suppose you’ll see my different colour subsequent time.”
READ: Naomi Osaka, 3 different former champions given US Open wild playing cards
Subsequent time shall be Thursday towards 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova, a 6-3, 7-5 winner towards Katie Volynets of the US.
Different ladies transferring into the second spherical included No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who received previous Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 7-6 (6) by taking the final 5 factors after needing to erase a trio of set factors as a result of she trailed 6-3 within the tiebreaker, and previous main champions Elena Rybakina and Caroline Wozniacki. However No. 11 Danielle Collins’ Grand Slam singles profession ended with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 loss to Caroline Dolehide in an all-American matchup. The 30-year-old Collins is retiring after this season.
One other American who lately introduced her retirement, Shelby Rogers, was scheduled to face No. 6 Jessica Pegula at evening, after four-time main champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated qualifier Li Tu 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Earlier in Ashe, No. 1 Jannik Sinner performed his first match since information got here out that he was cleared in a doping case involving two failed assessments in March, and whereas he received off to a sluggish begin, the 23-year-old Italian shortly bounced again to eradicate Mackie McDonald 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.
Different seeded males advancing included No. 7 Hubert Hurkacz and No. 25 Jack Draper, however No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas and No. 19 Felix Auger-Aliassime each misplaced, as did No. 23 Karen Khachanov, who got here out on the unsuitable finish of the longest US Open match, by time, since tiebreakers had been instituted in 1970.
Dan Evans snuck previous Khachanov 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 throughout 5 hours, 35 minutes. The ultimate set, through which Evans trailed 4-0, took 61 minutes itself — and was the shortest set they performed.
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“If you’re a child, you’re simply advised to combat till the tip. I imply, that’s type of Rule 1. I’ve finished that fairly constantly for my profession,” Evans mentioned. “It type of paid off a bit right now.”