Osaka Secures Commanding Win Over Baptiste
On Day 5 of the US Open, held August 28 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, Naomi Osaka delivered a dominant performance in the second round of the women’s singles draw. The 23rd seed faced off against American player Hailey Baptiste, ranked No. 47 in the world, and secured a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory. With this win, Osaka moves on to the third round, showing strong form as she continues her campaign in Flushing Meadows.
Mochizuki Outmatched by De Minaur
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles second round, Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki, ranked No. 112 globally, faced a tough opponent in eighth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia. The 22-year-old Japanese player struggled to find his rhythm and fell in straight sets, 2-6, 4-6, 2-6. Despite the loss, Mochizuki made a notable run in his first main-draw appearance at the US Open, reaching the second round.
Post-Match Reflections: Mochizuki Expresses Regret and Hope
After the match, Mochizuki expressed disappointment with his inability to convert key opportunities. He earned 14 break points during the match but was only able to capitalize on two. “I let my emotions get in the way when I really wanted to win those points,” he admitted. “If I had taken them, it could have been a different match.”
His first-serve percentage stood at a low 44%, and he committed eight double faults. Nonetheless, Mochizuki showed flashes of aggressive play by moving forward and attacking the net, earning some key points. “It didn’t feel like I was completely outplayed,” he said. “There were moments when I felt I could compete at this level.” Despite the defeat, he gained confidence and experience from his US Open debut.
Women’s Doubles: Mixed Results for Japanese Contenders
In the women’s doubles first round, the duo of Eri Hozumi (Japan Housing Loan) and Ulrikke Eikeri (Norway) triumphed over Oksana Kalashnikova (Georgia) and Yuliia Starodubtseva (Ukraine) with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win. However, the pairing of Makoto Ninomiya (Edion) and Maia Lumsden (UK) was eliminated in their opening match.
Top Seeds Advance Without Upsets
Top seeds in both singles brackets advanced without issue. On the men’s side, No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner of Italy moved on as expected. Among the women, world No. 2 Iga Świątek of Poland also secured a routine win, continuing her strong run at the tournament.
The US Open continues to unfold with both veterans and rising stars aiming to make their mark. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on the upcoming rounds to see who can carry their momentum deeper into the Grand Slam event.
