NEW YORK — In an electrifying start to the US Open, Naomi Osaka emerged victorious in her first-round match, defeating Anastasia Zakharova with a score of 7-6 (8), 7-6 (7). This win propels Osaka into the second round of the prestigious tournament, where she will face Katerina Siniakova.
The atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium was palpable, as the crowd, known for its enthusiastic support, rallied behind Osaka, a two-time US Open champion who has strong ties to New York from her childhood. The fans displayed their passion throughout the match, cheering loudly and even clapping during Zakharova's serves, a phenomenon that Osaka noted with a mix of amusement and gratitude.
“I was really grateful for the crowd. This is probably the only stadium or the only crowd that’s — which I felt really bad for. I’ve never played in a crowd that would clap when the person would hit, like, the serve in the net,” Osaka remarked after the match. This unique support added to the lively atmosphere, making it a memorable experience for the player.
Osaka, currently ranked No. 13 in the world, is favored to win her upcoming match against Siniakova, who holds the No. 42 ranking. The two players have met three times previously, with Osaka leading the head-to-head record 2-1. Their last encounter was at Wimbledon in 2025, where Osaka secured a decisive victory with a score of 6-3, 6-2.
Having reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2025, Osaka is eager to make another deep run in the tournament. “I feel like the type of player that I am, the more rounds I play, the better I become,” she stated, emphasizing her focus on improvement as the tournament progresses. With each match, she aims to fine-tune her game and adapt to the heightened competition.
On the men's side, Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz also advanced to the second round, defeating Roman Safiullin with a score of 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. This match marked Alcaraz's return to competitive play after a wrist injury sidelined him since April, and he expressed relief that his wrist is now “pain-free.”
Alcaraz, who is ranked No. 1 in the world and a two-time US Open champion, is set to face Jaime Faria, currently ranked No. 72, in the second round. This matchup will be the first meeting between the two players. Alcaraz, who is a favorite to win the tournament for a third time, is focused on enjoying the experience of competing in front of his fans. “What I just really want to do is enjoy every time that I’m gonna walk into the court feeling, you know, the energy from the people,” he said, highlighting his excitement for the tournament.
As the US Open continues, both Osaka and Alcaraz are poised to make significant strides, with their respective second-round matches promising to deliver high-level tennis and thrilling moments for fans.
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