Earlier on Thursday, Naomi Osaka recovered from a second-set blip to overcome Katerina Siniakova 6-2 5-7 6-1. Two-time winner Osaka served for a place in the third round during the second set but lost four straight games as she squandered a 5-3 lead. However, after leaving the court to reset, the Japanese 28-year-old overpowered top-ranked doubles player Siniakova in the decider.
After Osaka walked out for her first-round match in an outfit inspired by NBA legend Allen Iverson, the four-time major winner returned to the court on Thursday wearing a white dress embroidered with tennis racquets. The 2018 and 2020 US Open winner took a commanding first set in half an hour, and looked on course for a straightforward victory after breaking serve for a 4-2 lead in the second.
That marked the start of four successive breaks of serve – including Osaka failing to close out the match – and Siniakova took full advantage as the 13th seed’s consistency dipped. But Osaka, who made 20 of her 29 unforced errors in the second set, returned to her former levels and won six of the final seven games to complete victory in two hours and two minutes.
The match was definitely really tough. I just felt like I was a little bit too hard on myself after opportunities in the second set,
Osaka told the crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. I took the bathroom break, regrouped a little, came back and just tried to have no regrets.
Iga Swiatek, a six-time major winner whose sole US Open triumph arrived in 2022, had no such issues. Poland’s 25-year-old former world number one defeated Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska 6-3 6-2 to set up a meeting with Czech player Marie Bouzkova. However, American Madison Keys survived a huge scare as the former finalist saved five match points to come through a thrilling match against Hungary’s Anna Bondar.
After forcing a third set, Keys, the 22nd seed at her home slam, trailed the decider by a double break of serve. She stayed alive after Bondar produced back-to-back double faults on her first two match points, and three more on her subsequent service game, before breaking again to level the set and eventually clinching a 10-point tie-break to win 5-7 6-4 7-6 (10-5).
Ben Shelton faces Denis Shapovalov
Opportunity awaits for Ben Shelton at this year’s US Open. The highly talented American will feel this is his best chance yet to reach a Grand Slam final as Jannik Sinner is absent while Novak Djokovic suffered a shock exit in the opening round. Eighth seed Shelton will take on Denis Shapovalov in the third round, with Shelton holding a 4-0 head-to-head lead heading into the clash scheduled fourth on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
So far in New York, Shelton has had to overcome two severe tests against Tallon Griekspoor and Hubert Hurkacz to reach the third round. The next test for Shelton will be another tricky test in the form of Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian has been a former Grand Slam semi-finalist and has all the potential to achieve big things in the sport. However, the consistency hasn’t been there for Shapovalov who has been too streaky and has lacked substance to his play.
Shelton will aim to be aggressive on the first serve, using the forehand to push Shapovalov behind the baseline. Meanwhile Shapovalov will use the backhand to open up Shelton’s game and will approach the net to finish off points efficiently. This will be another tough battle for Shelton but the American should have too much consistent firepower for Shapovalov, with a prediction of Shelton in four sets.
Karolina Muchova plays Emma Navarro
Elsewhere, seventh seed Karolina Muchova faces 26th seed Emma Navarro third on Grandstand. Good luck to anyone attempting to stop Karolina Muchova over the fortnight, as the Wimbledon finalist has been in ruthless form so far and only dropped one game against Katie Boulter. The seventh seed is a former semi-finalist in New York and has the perfect match of variety and power in her game.
A former US Open semi-finalist now stands in her way in the form of Emma Navarro. The American had a big fall down the rankings over the last 12 months as she failed to back up her US Open semi-final from a couple of years ago, but is now back into the seeding positions at Grand Slams. Having endured two three set matches in New York so far, Navarro will need to be at her best against the red-hot Muchova.
Jiri Lehecka meets Stefanos Tsitsipas
Additionally, 18th seed Jiri Lehecka meets Stefanos Tsitsipas fourth on Grandstand not before 22:00 BST. Lehecka has all the power, variety and tactical awareness to achieve a deep Grand Slam run and will be hoping to carry his form into the latter stages. The next test for Lehecka is former Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, who stunned everyone in the opening round by knocking out tenth seed and Cincinnati champion Arthur Fils, before backing it up with a brutal four-set win over Lloyd Harris.
