Naomi Osaka opened her US Open campaign with a composed straight-sets victory, defeating Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday.
The two-time New York champion wasted no time asserting herself, breaking serve repeatedly to secure passage into the second round. She will next face American Hailey Baptiste in a bid to reach the last 32.
The former world number one admitted to battling nerves early on but found comfort in the familiar energy of Flushing Meadows. “Playing here always feels natural—like I’m back home,” Osaka said after the win.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is navigating her way back to peak form following her return from maternity leave. While her comeback has been uneven, flashes of her trademark power have re-emerged, including a strong run to the final in Montreal earlier this month.
Seeded at a major for the first time since early 2022, Osaka appears rejuvenated under the guidance of Tomasz Wiktorowski, the coach who previously worked with Iga Swiatek. She is now targeting her first title since lifting the Australian Open trophy in 2021—an achievement that would mark a decisive step in her resurgence.
