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Naomi Osaka made a triumphant return to the Louis Armstrong Stadium, entering her first match since giving birth to her daughter, Shai, with a clear focus on victory. The two-time US Open champion faced Jelena Ostapenko, a player known for her powerful and disruptive style, but Osaka was determined to assert her dominance from the outset.
Osaka delivered a near-flawless performance in the first set, not committing a single unforced error, and taking the set 6-3 with precision and control. Wearing her new Nike outfit, Osaka looked every bit the champion, focused and determined not to let her opponent gain any momentum.
The second set saw Osaka continue her strong play, with only a brief slip while serving for the match. Nevertheless, she closed out the set 6-2, securing a straight-sets victory and advancing to the next round.
Emotional post-match
What stood out most was Osaka's emotional reaction following the match. Overwhelmed by the significance of her first top-10 win in over four years, she broke down in tears, showing just how much the moment meant to her. The outpouring of from the crowd further highlighted the deep connection she has with her fans and her love for the sport.
As she moves forward, Osaka faces a tough challenge in Karolina Muchova. However, given her impressive form in this match, it's clear that Osaka is ready to continue her journey, proving that she remains a formidable force in tennis.
"I made a promise to myself to be as confident as I can in the fact that I am who I am," Osaka said before the tournament. "I feel like, for me, throughout the year I have had really hard matches, and it kind of dipped my confidence a little. I wouldn't say that I played bad tennis. I just would say that I played really good players, and I also learned a lot.
"I do think coming to this specific tournament helps me out. But also, whenever I step foot here, I don't really think about the two tournaments I won. I just think about how I felt when I was a kid. It's more of a childhood nostalgia that I really enjoy."