Overview

• Osaka defeated Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4, firing seven aces and converting all six of her break-point chances.
• The 27-year-old will face American Hailey Baptiste in the second round at Flushing Meadows.
• Kim Clijsters publicly picked Osaka to win the tournament, saying she is ready for another mother to claim a major title.
• The four-time Grand Slam winner returned to seeding at a major for the first time since 2022 on the strength of a run to the Canadian Open final.
• Pre-tournament picks still heavily feature Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, though Osaka’s form has elevated her into the contender conversation.