Naomi Osaka Triumphs Over Jelena Ostapenko in US Open 2024

Naomi Osaka's Successful US Open Comeback

NEW YORK—Naomi Osaka lit up Louis Armstrong Stadium to kick off her 2024 US Open campaign, posting a strong 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jelena Ostapenko, her first in Flushing Meadows since becoming a mother.

A Glimpse of Osaka's Journey

The two-time champion missed last year’s tournament while on maternity leave, giving birth to daughter Shai in July, and has made the US Open a focal point of her comeback since returning to action in January.

• Osaka Reflects on Nostalgia: “I'm kind of setting myself up for September anyway,” she mentioned after a heartbreaking Roland Garros second round loss to Iga Swiatek.
• Impressive Performance: Dressed in an eye-catching ensemble, Osaka shocked the No. 10 seed in one hour and four minutes to reach the second round.

A former world No. 1, Osaka arrived at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with minimal match play, having lost in the second round of the National Bank Open.

Resilience Amid Challenges

Following a three-set defeat to American Ashlyn Kreuger, Osaka opened up about dealing with possible symptoms of post-partum depression.

1. “I’ve been playing tennis since I was 3, the tennis racquet should feel like an extension of my hand,” she expressed. “I don’t understand why everything has to feel almost brand new again.”

Drawing Ostapenko in the first round looked to be another hurdle for Osaka, who considers the 2017 Roland Garros champion one of her favorites to watch. However, Osaka rose her level to match the occasion, providing a strong serving performance.

What Lies Ahead for Osaka

Things won’t get easier for Osaka in the second round as she next faces Karolina Muchova, a semifinalist in 2023 who scored a 6-3, 7-5 win over American Katie Volynets earlier on Day 2.