US Open Round 2
Naomi Osaka overcomes fierce resistance to win her opening US Open match.
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Key Points
1
Osaka built a 5-2 lead in the first set and a 5-3 edge in the second before Anastasia Zakharova forced two deciding tiebreaks, which Osaka won 8-6 and 7-3.
2
Her 2026 season has reached 208 aces, with 11 of them coming in this match (including one on match point), making her the ninth player to reach 200+ aces in 2026.
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The match concluded in the early hours, with a late finish around 12:30 am local time.
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Osaka entered wearing a white press-clipping tunic with a dramatic white tulle train made of patchwork headlines, described as a tribute to the media attention that has followed her career.
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Zakharova, the Russian opponent, was ranked 101st on the WTA Tour at the time of the match.
Naomi Osaka advanced to the US Open's second round on August 31, 2026, defeating Russian Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets with two tiebreaks. Osaka won 8-6, 7-3 in just over two hours, marking her 10th Grand Slam match win of 2026 and her 79th career major victory ESPN. The four-time Grand Slam champion captured both tiebreaks to seal the victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Off the court, Osaka turned heads in a striking white tulle gown adorned with newspaper clippings, a tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson that underscored her dual influence as both a tennis powerhouse and a fashion innovator The Sports Tak. Her powerful serve produced 11 aces in the match, bringing her 2026 season total to 208 aces—making her the ninth player to reach that milestone this year.
Osaka Forces Tiebreaks to Overcome Zakharova
Zakharova, ranked 101st on the WTA Tour, forced two deciding tiebreaks despite Osaka building commanding leads. Osaka led 5-2 in the first set and 5-3 in the second before Zakharova mounted her comeback. Osaka's experience showed in the tiebreaks, where she dominated 8-6 and 7-3 to secure the win Head to Pics.
Osaka's Powerful Serve Delivers 11 Aces
Osaka's serve proved the difference throughout the match, producing 11 aces including one on match point. This performance pushed her 2026 ace total to 208, a remarkable achievement shared by only eight other players on tour this season News.com.au. Her hard-court dominance continues to define her game at major tournaments.
Fashion Statement Inspires While Osaka Dominates
Osaka's white hooded gown with newspaper-clipping patchwork paid homage to Allen Iverson's iconic style and celebrated the media scrutiny that has followed her career One World News. The dramatic white tulle train and headline details made her entrance unforgettable. The outfit blended her roles as Asia's top Grand Slam player and a cultural trendsetter at tennis's biggest stage.
Osaka's Grand Slam Consistency Grows Stronger
This victory marks Osaka's 29th opening-round win at Grand Slams, reinforcing her status among tennis's elite. Her 79 career major match wins place her firmly in the conversation about modern tennis royalty. The early-morning finish around 12:30 AM local time did not diminish her focus or her dominance throughout the contest.
Sentiment
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Publishers
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Articles
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Reach
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