Osaka pays tribute to NBA great as she brings style and steel to US Open

Naomi Osaka has been the fashion highlight of this year's majors. She entered Arthur Ashe Stadium in a hooded tunic, featuring press clippings and a white tulle train. Osaka defeated Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) to reach the second round. Naomi Osaka unveiled another stunning walk-on outfit at the US Open before the two-time champion completed a straight-sets victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova. Osaka has been the fashion highlight of this year's majors and entered Arthur Ashe Stadium in a hooded tunic. The tunic featured patchwork-style panels adorned with press clippings from past tournament appearances and a billowing white tulle train. At Roland Garros, Osaka arrived in a black Kevin Germanier skirt and competed in a layered yellow, brown and gold outfit inspired by the Eiffel Tower's night-time sparkle. Competing at Flushing Meadows in an Allen Iverson-inspired outfit, the four-time major champion looked set for a straightforward victory after racing into a 4-1 lead, only for world number 101 Zakharova to force a tie-break. "It's my tribute to Iverson," Osaka said of the NBA Hall of Famer. "I really like him a lot. "Nike said basketball, so I said, 'You want basketball, I'll give you basketball.' I like expressing myself through clothes, and I'm glad you guys appreciate it." Osaka showed her fighting qualities to win the tie-break before being taken to another in the second set, where she held her nerve to close out the 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) victory. "I would say it took everything [to win]," Osaka said as the clock approached 12:30 am, local time. "I have no idea what time it is. Thanks for staying," she told fans. "I'm grateful to be able to play on this court again. "I just told myself to not have any regrets. I wanted to come out and compete … I was a little rusty. "I get nervous in the first rounds. I want to do well and show you guys new outfits." The 13th seed, champion at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020, takes on Czech Kateřina Siniaková in the second round.