US Open: Osaka survives two tiebreaks as Swiatek cruises into second round

Osaka was forced to work considerably harder for her victory in Monday night's session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The four-time Grand Slam champion began her quest for a third US Open title with a straight-sets win over Anastasia Zakharova, but needed two tiebreaks to get past the world No 101.

Osaka led 5-2 in the opening set and 5-3 in the second, only for Zakharova to fight back on both occasions and force a tiebreak.

The former world No 1 held her nerve to win the first-set tiebreak 8-6 on her third set point before taking the second 7-3, completing the victory in just over two hours.

Osaka, who won the US Open in 2018 and 2020, also attracted attention with her outfit, taking to the court in a black ensemble paying tribute to former American basketball star Allen Iverson, while wearing an all-white gown for her walk-on.

"I love expressing myself through clothes," Osaka told the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. "I'm glad you guys appreciate it."

Osaka will face Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova in the second round after the latter defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-2.

Meanwhile, eighth-seeded Swiatek opened her campaign with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over China's Wang Xiyu in 88 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The 2022 US Open champion quickly took control, building a 3-1 lead in the opening set before sealing it with another break. She then broke Wang in the eighth game of the second set to complete a composed victory.

Swiatek arrived in New York with renewed confidence after winning her first title of the season in Toronto and reaching the Cincinnati semifinals.

"For sure it was a good day in the office," Swiatek said. "I felt pretty good right from the beginning and I had the energy and the intensity. I want to keep it that way."

Swiatek will face Nadia Podoroska in the second round as she bids to win a seventh Grand Slam title and a second US Open crown.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz makes winning US Open return after four-month injury lay-off