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A tearful Naomi Osaka admits she did not know whether she would ever make it back to the US Open as she enjoyed a winning return.
The two-time champion is back at Flushing Meadow after missing last year’s tournament following the birth of her first child.
Osaka, who has also been open about her mental health struggles, watched American Coco Gauff win the 2023 edition and questioned whether she would be able to make it back to New York.
However, she proved she is on the way back with a 6-3 6-2 victory over 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko on Arthur Ashe.
The 26-year-old was in tears at the end of her match and said: “I was trying not to cry when I was walking out.
“Last year I was watching Coco play and I so desperately wanted to step out on this court and I didn’t know whether I would be able to mentally or physically.
“To win this match and be in this atmosphere means so much to me.
“I just want to play really well and have a lot of fun. Moments like that are so precious to me and I can only hope I can have even more.”
World number one Iga Swiatek began her pursuit of a second US Open title with a straight sets win over lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova.
But there was heartache for Danielle Collins as the 11th seed ended her final grand slam with a three-set loss to American compatriot Caroline Dolehide.
Collins, due to retire at the end of the year, looked on course for victory but Dolehide came back to earn a 1-6 7-5 6-4 victory.
It led to an awkward moment as US Open officials tried to present Collins with a bouquet of flowers, but she walked off court without accepting them.
“I’m still in the doubles and I had requested not to have any presentation on the court,” she said.
“I’m not somebody that likes to celebrate my accomplishments.”
Fourth seed Elena Rybakina advanced past Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava while Caroline Wozniacki rolled back the years with a 6-0 6-1 trouncing of Nao Hibino.
The Dane, who came out of retirement at this tournament last year, says she does not know what the future holds after confirming this would be her last event of 2024.
The 34-year-old said: “I honestly don’t know what my plans are right now.
“My initial thought is I’m probably not going to play after, but I don’t know. I don’t have a final say.
“Again, wherever I travel, I’m going to go with the kids, and I also have to see what’s best for the family and myself.”
“I don’t know what the future brings, but for now, I’m focusing on here and then I’m going to make the next decisions then.”
Spare a thought, though, for Zhang Shuai who suffered a 23rd successive defeat.
The Chinese player must have thought the drought was ending when she served Ashlyn Krueger a first-set bagel, but the American hit back to claim a 0-6 6-1 7-5 victory and leave Zhang without a win since January 2023.
