NEW YORK (AP) — A yr in the past, nonetheless on maternity go away and nonetheless not sure when she would play elite tennis once more, Naomi Osaka visited the U.S. Open to seem with Michael Phelps for a dialogue about psychological well being. While on the web site, she sat within the stands to look at certainly one of Coco Gauff’s matches.
Osaka additionally already was enthusiastic about being again on a court docket at Flushing Meadows, a lot in order that she was pondering what she may need 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 hooked up to her footwear, in lime inexperienced — the colour of this “ Brat ” summer season, because it occurs (IYKYK) — and enjoying very very like a two-time champion on the place and a former No. 1-ranked star.
“I feel like being able to be a part of (designing) my tennis outfits gives me, I would say, a different strength, especially the U.S. Open outfits. I feel like they are a little bit more flamboyant. When I was putting on my outfit today, I was, like, ‘Ah, I hope this isn’t too much,’” Osaka mentioned with a smile. “Because I had the tutu, and then I had the bow jacket and it was green. I feel like everyone was staring at me.”
Another participant requested for a photograph, Osaka mentioned, including: “I hope it was a positive picture (and) it wasn’t, like, ‘Oh, my God, look at her.’ For me, when I put on the outfit, it’s almost like a super suit, so I try 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 U.S. Open since Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 5 years in the past. Another such contest got here Tuesday night time, when 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin beat 2021 U.S. Open winner Emma Raducanu 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
“Having two wins here means a lot, and I think for me, I’ve been struggling with confidence throughout the year,” 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 in the mirror and say, ‘Hey, you’ve done really well here. There’s no reason why you can’t do well again.’”
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 remember thinking, ‘I need to win this match so I can wear my other color.’ That was very important to me,” mentioned Osaka, who’s ranked 88th and acquired a wild-card invitation from the U.S. Tennis Association. “I guess you’ll see my other color next time.”
Next time will likely be Thursday towards 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova, a 6-3, 7-5 winner towards Katie Volynets of the U.S.
Other girls transferring into the second spherical included No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who obtained 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. No. 5 Jasmine Paolini, a finalist on the French Open and Wimbledon this yr, beat 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, whereas 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.
Caroline Dolehide, of the United States, returns a shot to Danielle Collins, of the United States, throughout the first spherical of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Danielle Collins, of the United States, reacts within the first set towards Caroline Dolehide, of the United States, throughout the first spherical of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Another American who not too long ago introduced her retirement, Shelby Rogers, misplaced the ultimate match of her profession by a 6-4, 6-3 rating to No. 6 Jessica Pegula at night time, after four-time main champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated qualifier Li Tu 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Pegula meets Kenin subsequent.
Earlier in Ashe, No. 1 Jannik Sinner performed his first match since news got here out that he was cleared in a doping case involving two failed assessments in March, and whereas he obtained off to a gradual begin, the 23-year-old Italian rapidly bounced again to remove Mackie McDonald 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.
Other seeded males advancing included No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, 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 U.S. Open match, by time, since tiebreakers had been instituted in 1970.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, of Greece, reacts after scoring a degree towards Thanasi Kokkinakis, of Australia,throughout the first spherical of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Dan Evans snuck previous Khachanov 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 throughout 5 hours, 35 minutes. The remaining set, by which Evans trailed 4-0, took 61 minutes itself — and was the shortest set they performed.
“When you’re a kid, you’re just told to fight until the end. I mean, that’s sort of Rule 1. I’ve done that pretty consistently for my career,” Evans mentioned. “It sort of paid off a bit today.”
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis