Naomi Osaka Returns to US Open with Emotional Victory

Naomi Osaka Returns to US Open with Emotional Victory

Former US Open champion Naomi Osaka made a triumphant return to Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, securing an impressive 6-3, 6-2 victory over 2017 Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko in the opening round. The Japanese star, currently ranked 88th in the world, missed last year’s tournament after giving birth to her daughter.

Osaka’s last appearance in New York was in 2022, when she suffered a shock first-round exit. However, she was determined to make a statement this year, and she did so in style against Ostapenko, who reached the quarterfinals last year by defeating world no. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Osaka fired 19 winners and wrapped up the victory in just 63 minutes, leaving Ostapenko with no answers. The crowd inside the Louis Armstrong Stadium erupted in applause as Osaka secured the win, and the four-time Grand Slam winner was left in tears.

“I so badly wanted to step on these courts again,” Osaka said. “I didn’t know if I could … Just to win this match, just to be in this atmosphere means so much to me.”

Osaka admitted that the match was stressful, but she refused to give up. “She was hitting some really good shots,” Osaka said. “I just told myself, ‘keep going, keep fighting for every point and maybe you’ll have an opportunity.’ And eventually I did but then I looked up and saw so many faces, so I was like, whoa!'”

This was Osaka’s first win over a top-10 player in four years. She previously made two quarterfinals at tour events in 2024 but never made it past the second round at the majors. However, the US Open holds a special place in her heart.

“It’s like a combination of a lot of different things,” Osaka said. “I grew up here, so just seeing kids, and then remembering my daughter, but seeing kids coming and watching me play and just remembering that I was a kid … made me very emotional.”

“Just seeing the stadium really full, it meant a lot, because I was, like, ‘Oh, I hope people come watch me play.”

Osaka will next face Czech Karolina Muchova in the second round.

US Open Preview: Ostapenko, Sinner, and Paul Face Intriguing First-Round Matches

US Open Preview: Ostapenko, Sinner, and Paul Face Intriguing First-Round Matches

The upcoming US Open promises thrilling matchups, including the highly anticipated clash between Jelena Ostapenko and Naomi Osaka. Despite their contrasting personalities, both players share a common trait: their ability to dominate opponents and produce unpredictable results.

Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, has had a mixed summer, reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals but losing early in Toronto. Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam winner, has also experienced ups and downs, nearly defeating Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros but losing to a lower-ranked player in Cincinnati.

Their only previous meeting, in 2016 at Roland Garros, saw Osaka prevail in two close sets. However, Ostapenko’s recent form and slightly higher win count this season suggest she may have the edge this time.

Another intriguing matchup is between Jannik Sinner and Mackenzie McDonald. Sinner, the top seed, faces questions about his mindset after revelations of positive drug tests. However, he has expressed relief at having the ordeal behind him and may play more freely.

McDonald, an American, has a strong two-handed backhand and has pushed Sinner to three sets in the past. The crowd support for McDonald could make this a competitive match, but Sinner’s power and experience should ultimately prevail.

Tommy Paul, the third-highest-ranked American man, faces a tough first-round opponent in Lorenzo Sonego. Sonego recently won a title in Winston-Salem without dropping a set, while Paul has been recovering from the Olympics.

Paul will have the crowd advantage, but Sonego’s powerful forehand could be a factor if the court plays fast. However, Paul’s recovery time and Sonego’s potential fatigue from his recent title run may give Paul the edge.

Naomi Osaka Returns to US Open, Gauff Eyes Sabalenka Rematch

Naomi Osaka Returns to US Open, Gauff Eyes Sabalenka Rematch

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will make her long-awaited return to the US Open this year, marking her first appearance at Flushing Meadows since becoming a mother. The Japanese star, who triumphed at the US Open in 2018 and 2020, will face a formidable challenge in her opening match against No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian is a former Roland Garros champion and has been in impressive form this season.

Meanwhile, defending champion Coco Gauff could set up a mouthwatering rematch against Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Gauff, who stunned the tennis world with her run to the final last year, will be eager to defend her title. However, she will face a tough test in the form of Sabalenka, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world and has been in scintillating form this year.

Other notable matchups in the women’s draw include a potential quarterfinal clash between No. 3 seed Maria Sakkari and No. 6 seed Simona Halep. Sakkari has been in excellent form this season, reaching the semifinals of the French Open and Wimbledon. Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion, will be looking to make a deep run in New York after a disappointing Wimbledon campaign.

In the men’s draw, defending champion Daniil Medvedev will be aiming to retain his title. The Russian is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and will be the top seed at Flushing Meadows. However, he will face stiff competition from the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is always a threat at the US Open. The Spaniard has won the tournament four times, including in 2019. Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, is also a former US Open winner. The Serbian will be looking to add to his tally after missing the Australian Open earlier this year due to his vaccination status.

Alcaraz, the rising star of men’s tennis, has been in sensational form this season. The Spaniard has won five titles, including the Madrid Open and Barcelona Open. He will be aiming to make a deep run at the US Open and challenge the established order.

The US Open is set to be a thrilling spectacle, with a host of top players vying for the prestigious title. The tournament will begin on August 29th and conclude on September 11th.

Jelena Ostapenko: Bold Fashion and a Unique Perspective

Jelena Ostapenko: Bold Fashion and a Unique Perspective

Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, has made a statement on and off the court this clay-court season with her bold fashion choices. Partnering with Latvian clothing brand DK ONE, Ostapenko has opted for eye-catching ensembles that reflect her aggressive playing style.

“I like to mix colors, bright colors with darker ones,” she said. “The previous dress was orange, and I think that wouldn’t look as good on clay because then it’s orange with orange.”

Ostapenko’s style has evolved since joining forces with DK ONE in 2022. She has embraced skirts and other variations, while still providing input on the designs.

“It’s never easy when you’re first starting something,” she reflected. “Latvia is such a small country and they don’t have the same opportunities as a big country, so we have to make the most of what we get.”

While she draws inspiration from the runway, Ostapenko has her own unique fashion sense.

“I like their shoes,” she says of Balenciaga, “but some of their stuff is really crazy. It’s all oversized, very oversized. I like oversized stuff but some of it is too much; it’s all unisex and oversized, so the fit is a little bit strange. I like Dior’s stuff, and also some less-high brands, like Cinq à Sept or Alice and Olivia. I do have some stuff from Zara too.”

Ostapenko’s eclectic taste extends to her entertainment choices. She prefers historical documentaries and comedies, but draws the line at fantasy and superhero movies.

“I hate fantasy, superhero movies, any non-realistic movie. I really hate those. Obviously, you know that can’t happen in real life, like a huge monster is going to come and attack people!”

Off the court, Ostapenko enjoys spending time with fellow Russian speakers Anastasia Potapova and Daria Kasatkina.

“With Dasha, I don’t know why we weren’t friends in juniors. But that’s in the past, and now we’re good friends,” she said. “Nastya is a little bit younger than me, and so I got to know her later. Dasha, I’ve known since we were younger because we’re the same age. But they’re both really nice girls, and we’re able to spend some time going for dinner.”

After a satisfying meal, Ostapenko turns her focus to tennis, preparing for her third-round match against Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Kerber's Grit and Determination Shine in BNP Paribas Open Triumph

Kerber’s Grit and Determination Shine in BNP Paribas Open Triumph

Angelique Kerber’s triumphant return to the BNP Paribas Open was marked by a hard-fought victory over Jelena Ostapenko, a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing a formidable opponent and challenging conditions, Kerber displayed her trademark grit and tenacity to overcome a set and a break deficit, ultimately prevailing 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

Kerber’s victory marked a significant milestone in her comeback from maternity leave, as it was her first Top 10 win since the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The German veteran, now ranked 607th in the world, showcased her unwavering spirit and competitive fire throughout the match.

After initially trailing 3-1 in the opening set, Kerber rallied to win four consecutive games and held two set points. However, Ostapenko, who has enjoyed a successful season with titles in Adelaide and Linz, fought back to break Kerber’s serve and take the set 7-5.

Undeterred, Kerber refused to let the momentum slip away. She broke Ostapenko’s serve twice in the second set to level the match at 1-1. The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks early on. Kerber eventually seized control of the match with her eighth break of the day, forcing Ostapenko’s backhand into the net.

In a nail-biting finish, Kerber faced four match points in a 12-point game. With nerves of steel, she unleashed an unreturned serve to seal the victory.

“This is why I am back,” Kerber declared on-court after the match. “It’s really an important win for me. Coming here, playing against one of the top players again and winning the match like this, gives me for sure a lot of confidence.”

Kerber’s victory marked her first consecutive match wins since Wimbledon 2022, while Ostapenko’s record against the German dropped to 1-3.

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