Naomi Osaka won her first match back at the US Open Monday night, defeating Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) in a tight two-set battle. Osaka made her 2026 debut count with a straight-set victory that required tiebreakers in both frames.
The Japanese star paid homage to Allen Iverson during the match, channeling the NBA legend's style as part of her return to Grand Slam competition. Both sets went down to the wire, with Osaka winning the first tiebreaker 6-4 and dominating the second 7-3 to close out the win.
The closely contested match showed Osaka's ability to stay composed in pressure moments. She needed both tiebreakers to get past Zakharova, who pushed the former champion throughout the evening. Osaka's tribute to Iverson added a cultural layer to her comeback performance, connecting tennis to basketball in a way that resonated with fans watching her progression through the tournament.