Naomi Osaka survives Zakharova tiebreak scare, reaches US Open Rd 2
Synopsis
Naomi Osaka's bid for a third US Open title got off to a nervy start — she was pushed to tiebreaks in both sets by world No. 101 Anastasia Zakharova before pulling through. The bigger story: Osaka's 2026 season is quietly her best since 2019, with 10 Grand Slam wins, 208 aces, and a fashion tribute to Allen Iverson that stole the post-match headlines.
Key Takeaways
Naomi Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets with tiebreaks ( 8-6, 7-3 ) on 1 September 2026 at Arthur Ashe Stadium .
The win is Osaka's 10th Grand Slam match victory of 2026 , her best major-season record since 2019 .
Osaka struck 11 aces , taking her 2026 season total to 208 — making her one of only nine players to reach that mark this year.
Her US Open first-round record now stands at 9-1 ; overall Grand Slam wins at 79 .
Osaka next faces Katerina Siniakova , against whom she leads the head-to-head 2-1 .
Zakharova is now 0-8 against top-20 opponents and 0-16 in sets in those matches in 2026.
Naomi Osaka launched her bid for a historic third US Open title with a hard-fought straight-sets win over Anastasia Zakharova on Arthur Ashe Stadium on 1 September 2026, but the former world No. 1 was made to work through two tiebreaks before booking her second-round spot.
How the Match Unfolded
Osaka, the 2018 and 2020 champion, appeared to be cruising at 5-2 in the first set and 5-3 in the second. Zakharova, ranked 101st on the WTA Tour, refused to capitulate and levelled in both sets to force tiebreaks. The Japanese star held her nerve, taking the first breaker 8-6 and the second 7-3, wrapping up the match in just over two hours.
A Landmark Season for Osaka
The victory marked Osaka's 10th Grand Slam match win of 2026, lifting her season record at the four majors to 10-2 — a figure she had not reached since 2019, when she claimed 12 major victories. Overall, Osaka now stands at 79 Grand Slam match wins, edging closer to Japan's Ai Sugiyama (84) and China's Li Na (90) as Asia's leading players at the majors.
Her US Open first-round record improved to 9-1, with her sole defeat in that round coming against Danielle Collins in 2022. The win was also her 11th on hard courts in 2026, a season that has already featured semifinal and quarterfinal appearances in Washington, D.C. and Toronto, respectively.
Serving Power on Display
Osaka's serve proved a decisive weapon. She struck 11 aces — including one on match point — with 10 of them arriving in the second set alone. Her season tally now stands at 208 aces, making her only the ninth player to record at least 200 aces in 2026.
The Iverson Tribute
Off the court, Osaka made headlines with her outfit choice. She walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium in an all-white gown before switching to a black ensemble inspired by former NBA star Allen Iverson. 'It's my tribute to Iverson,' she told fans during her on-court interview. 'I really like him a lot. Nike said 'basketball.' So I said, OK, you want basketball, I'll give you basketball. I love expressing myself through clothes. I'm glad you guys appreciate it.'
Zakharova's Difficult Slam Season
For Zakharova, the defeat extended a tough Grand Slam year. All four of her first-round exits in 2026 have come against players ranked inside the top 15. She remains without a win against a top-20 opponent, now sitting at 0-8 in such matches and 0-16 in sets against that bracket.
What's Next
Osaka's second-round opponent will be Katerina Siniakova, who defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-2. Osaka leads their head-to-head 2-1, with victories in Doha in 2018 and at Wimbledon in 2025. Siniakova's only win came at the 2019 French Open, when she upset top-seeded Osaka in the third round. Another competitive contest appears likely.
Point of View
The numbers behind the result are quietly compelling: 10 Grand Slam wins in a season, 208 aces, and a hard-court consistency she has not shown since her peak years. If her serve stays this sharp and she avoids the second-set nerves, a deep run is plausible. The Siniakova test in Round 2 will tell us more — Siniakova's only win over Osaka came when Osaka was top seed, and the Czech's form this year has been solid without being dominant.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Naomi Osaka's US Open 2026 first-round match?
Naomi Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets, winning both sets via tiebreaks with scores of 8-6 and 7-3. The match lasted just over two hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
How many Grand Slam wins does Naomi Osaka have in 2026?
Osaka has 10 Grand Slam match wins in 2026, giving her a season record of 10-2 at the four majors. It is her best major-season tally since 2019, when she won 12.
Who does Naomi Osaka play in the US Open 2026 second round?
Osaka will face Katerina Siniakova in the second round. Osaka leads their head-to-head 2-1, with wins in Doha in 2018 and at Wimbledon in 2025; Siniakova's only victory came at the 2019 French Open.
What is the significance of Osaka's 208 aces in 2026?
Osaka's 208 aces in 2026 make her only the ninth player to record at least 200 aces in the season. She struck 11 aces in the Zakharova match alone, including one on match point.
What was Naomi Osaka's Allen Iverson tribute at the US Open?
Osaka walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium in an all-white gown before changing into a black outfit inspired by former NBA star Allen Iverson. She described it as a personal tribute, saying she 'really likes him a lot' and that Nike's basketball theme gave her the idea.
