Naomi Osaka Starts US Open with Win

Naomi Osaka made a triumphant return to the US Open, defeating 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2 in the first round, marking her first win at the tournament since 2021. Overcome with emotion, Osaka expressed her joy at returning to the courts after a hiatus for maternity leave, stating, 'Just to win this match… means so much to me.' The victory is significant as it is her first top 10 win in over four years and comes after struggles with mental health since the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Osaka, currently ranked 88th, relied on her powerful serve and strategic play, winning 39 out of 50 service points and facing no breaks. Her next match will be against Czech player Karolina Muchova, another unseeded competitor. This comeback victory has rekindled hopes for Osaka's return to form in the competitive tennis landscape.