(New York) Naomi Osaka, 88e world champion, qualified Tuesday for the second round of the United States Open, which she won in 2018 and 2020, by beating Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (10e) 6-3, 6-2.
Osaka, former world No. 1 before leaving the WTA circuit due to psychological difficulties and then to give birth, had not beaten a player in the top 10 since his victory over Kiki Bertens (9e) in 2020 in Brisbane.
The Japanese player had not played in the previous two editions of the US Open. This year, she lost in the first round at the Australian Open and in the second at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
At Flushing Meadows, she will try to return to the third round by facing the Czech Karolina Muchova (52), semi-finalist last year, on Thursday.
Swiatek at 2e tower without shining
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek qualified for the second round on Tuesday without shining, beating Russian Kamilla Rakhimova (104).e and repechage from the qualifications) 6-4, 7-6 (8/6).
PHOTO ANDREW KELLY, REUTERS
Iga Swiatek
The Pole looked set to inflict an express defeat on the Russian when she quickly led 4-0, but she suffered a drop in form which allowed her opponent to make up a break and regain confidence.
Despite an unusual error rate, Swiatek served for the match at 5-4 in the second set. But she failed to close it out and Rakhimova came back to 5-5.
In the tiebreaker, Rakhimova had three points to equalize at one set all (6/3). But Swiatek then lined up five points to close out the match.
In the second round, she will face Australian Daria Saville (95).e) or the Japanese Ena Shibahara (217e).
The results of the 2e daytime
1er tour (women’s singles)
- Iga Swiatek (POL/N.1) beats Kamilla Rakhimova (RUS) 6-4, 7-6 (8/6)
- Ena Shibahara (JPN) beats Daria Saville (AUS) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (10/6)
- Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) defeats Kateryna Baindl (UKR) 6-3, 6-0
- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS/N.25) beats Taylah Preston (AUS) 6-2, 6-0
- Ashlyn Krueger (USA) defeats Zhang Shuai (CHN) 0-6, 6-1, 7-5
- Caroline Dolehide (USA) defeats Danielle Collins (USA/N.11) 1-6, 7-5, 6-4
- Sara Errani (ITA) beats Cristina Bucsa (ESP) 3-6, 6-0, 6-4
- Katie Boulter (GBR/N.31) beats Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
- Jessika Ponchet (FRA) beats Zheng Saisai (CHN) 6-4, 6-1
- Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) defeats Nao Hibino (JPN) 6-0, 6-1
- Karolina Muchova (CZE) defeats Katie Volynets (USA) 6-3, 7-5