Naomi Osaka delivered a composed and commanding performance in her opening match at the US Open, defeating Belgium’s Greet Minnen in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to book her spot in the second round.
Despite early jitters, Osaka found her rhythm quickly, breaking Minnen repeatedly and controlling rallies with her trademark baseline power. The former world number one has returned to Grand Slam competition with a sharpened edge and newfound focus after stepping back from the game for maternity leave.
This appearance marks Osaka’s first seeded position at a major since 2022—a promising indicator of her upward momentum. Now working under the guidance of Tomasz Wiktorowski, known for coaching Iga Swiatek, Osaka appears revitalized both mentally and tactically. Her precision and poise were on full display in Arthur Ashe Stadium, where she acknowledged the crowd with gratitude:
“The energy here is different. It always feels like a reset for me.”
Having reached the finals in Montreal earlier this month, Osaka is clearly building steam. Her next challenge comes in the form of American Hailey Baptiste, with a place in the round of 32 on the line.
As Osaka hunts her first tour-level title since the 2021 Australian Open, all eyes will remain fixed on whether the four-time Grand Slam champion can carve her way back to the top. If today’s performance is anything to go by, she’s not here to ease in—she’s here to reclaim.
