Naomi Osaka battles past Siniakova in tough US Open win

Naomi Osaka appeared to be cruising for a second consecutive match at the US Open. The two-time champion established a set and a break lead in her round two match against Katerina Siniakova, with an uneventful return to the third round beckoning.

But Osaka was overcome by tension in the final stages of the second set and soon found herself in a decider. It took resilience and restraint for her to reset and find a way through to the third round, winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

Before the North American hard-court swing, a period that yielded US Open titles in 2018 and 2020, Osaka finally looked like a grand slam contender again. After years of struggling through the clay- and grass-court seasons, this year Osaka produced career-best showings on those surfaces, reaching the fourth round at the French Open and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

Her level on grass was particularly impressive as she defeated the world No 1, Aryna Sabalenka, in round four. Osaka ran out of steam in the quarter-finals, but it was some of the best tennis she had played since winning her last grand slam title at the Australian Open in 2021. She headed back to North America full of confidence.

Elevated expectations can lead to greater pressure. In her 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) first-round win over Anastasia Zakharova, a nervous Osaka squandered a break in both sets before barely dragging herself over the line in two tie-breaks. This time her nerves cost her a set.

"I'm quite fortunate to have a lot of high-quality matches that went in my favour," said Osaka. "Especially whenever I think of going into the third set and I need to regroup, I literally only specifically think of the [2019] Australian Open Final. Then it's just like you can pull from your memory bank for every certain situation that you need to get finished. I think that's the best thing about being a more experienced player."

It is increasingly difficult to speak only of tennis when discussing Osaka. At the same time that her overall form has improved, every grand slam appearance this year has featured dramatic walk-on outfits and match kit reveals. Her outfits at the US Open this year are a homage to Allen Iverson, the former basketball player.

For such a reserved person, Osaka's mere existence seems to enrage some of her detractors. Some describe her as an attention seeker. Her mental health difficulties in 2021 are often referenced as hypocritical. Much of the criticism she receives is driven by people who will never forgive her anti-racist activism during the early 2020s.

Although Osaka has matured, she is introverted at heart. She believes fashion allows her an easier avenue to express herself. Wearing elaborate dresses while playing tennis is no outrage.

Osaka has been handed one of the toughest draws of the title contenders, with the second seed, Elena Rybakina, a potential fourth-round opponent.

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek, the eighth seed and 2022 champion, continued to build momentum with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Nadia Podoroska. British qualifier Harriet Dart was defeated 6-2, 6-2 by the 25th seed, Marie Bouzkova. In the men's draw, Félix Auger-Aliassime, the third seed, struggled with dizziness and illness as he was defeated 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 by Karen Khachanov.