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Live sport on SN this weekendOsaka, Swiatek post contrasting US Open wins
Brian Mahoney •  September 4th, 2026 8:15 am
Naomi Osaka | Photo: AAP
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka has recovered after a mid-match lapse to advance to the US Open third round with a 6-2 5-7 6-1 victory over Katerina Siniakova.
Osaka went out early on a day that had also had Alex Eala and Iga Swiatek on the schedule, with Coco Gauff headlining the action at night.
Doubles play also began on Friday (NZ time), although Serena and Venus Williams were not on the schedule. They could play their first-round match on Saturday against Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint, who beat Serena in singles play at Wimbledon this summer.
Osaka wore silver and white under her long white jacket with a white visor for her match in Arthur Ashe Stadium, after she was dressed in black with her hair done in cornrows under a headband in a tribute to former NBA superstar Allen Iverson for her opener at night.
Iga Swiatek | Photo: AAP
The No. 13 seed appeared headed for a quick afternoon against Siniakova, who is ranked No.1 in women's doubles but not as strong in singles as a player such as Osaka, who has won four grand slam titles.
Osaka won the first set in 30 minutes and then opened a 4-2 lead in the second. But she then had her serve broken in a lengthy next game and eventually her level of play took a substantial dip, with 20 unforced errors in the set after only four in the first.
Osaka quickly regained control, breaking for a 2-0 lead in the third before finishing a 19-shot rally with a volley for a winner en route to taking the next game, appearing more relieved than excited by her nice touch.
"The match was definitely really tough and I don't know, I just felt like I had to fight," Osaka said.
"I definitely had a couple opportunities in the second set and I think I was a little bit too hard on myself. So I took the bathroom break, regrouped a little, came back and just tried to have no regrets."
Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion, had it much easier with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Nadia Podoroska.
Gauff, who won her first major title at Flushing Meadows in 2023, faces Paula Badosa in a night match.
