Naomi Osaka combined fashion and determination at the US Open as she began her title campaign with a hard-fought straight-sets victory over Anastasia Zakharova.
The four-time Grand Slam champion attracted plenty of attention before the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, arriving in a hooded white gown decorated with newspaper headlines highlighting key moments from her career.
Underneath the dramatic outfit was an all-black basketball-style kit inspired by NBA legend Allen Iverson, who Osaka believes played a major role in changing the way athletes approach fashion.
“He’s a trailblazer. I think he’s also someone that I look up to a lot, because he’s done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not,” Osaka said.
“He’s shifted the way that NBA players dress. I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and just expressing yourself through style. I feel like he’s someone that I look up to in that regard.”
The fashion statement was followed by a much tougher battle on court as the 13th-seeded Japanese player defeated world number 101 Zakharova 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3).
Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, made an excellent start and broke serve at the first opportunity to move 2-0 ahead. She later established a 5-2 advantage and appeared on course for a comfortable opening set.
Zakharova refused to collapse, however, fighting back to force a tie-break and pushing Osaka into a much tighter contest.
The Russian continued to threaten in the second set, recovering from another early break to keep the match level and force another tie-break.
Osaka’s serve ultimately proved decisive. She raced into a 5-1 lead in the second-set tie-break before completing the victory shortly before 00:30 local time.
The former world number one will now face Czech player Katerina Siniakova in the second round as she continues her bid for a third US Open title.
After the match, Osaka suggested her fans should expect another memorable outfit for her next appearance.
“I wanted to play well because I wanted to show you guys some more outfits,” she said.
“I love expressing myself through clothes – because I don’t like talking too much.”
Osaka’s return to New York has therefore started with both a statement on court and another memorable fashion moment, with Siniakova now standing between her and the third round.