The Albany Gazette - Osaka channels NBA icon Iverson to reach US Open second round

The Japanese 13th seed, US Open champion in 2018 and 2020, was made to work hard by Russia's Anastasia Zakharova before winning 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3) in just over two hours on the Arthur Ashe Stadium show court.

As ever, Osaka's entrance on court grabbed the headlines, with the 28-year-old walking out in a billowy custom-made gown which contained sewn-in news clippings detailing her career.

The four-time Grand Slam champion also had her hair braided in the style of former Philadelphia 76ers star Iverson, the NBA icon who is often credited with helping bring street culture and style to basketball.

Osaka had paid tribute to Iverson in her pre-tournament press conference last week, wearing a t-shirt depicting the NBA star as she spoke to reporters.

"For me he's a trailblazer," Osaka said. "He's kind of like done a lot in fashion, whether it's on purpose or not, but he's shifted the way that NBA players dress.

"I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he's someone that I look up to in that regard."

Osaka needed to emulate Iverson's famously fierce competitiveness to finally subdue Zakharova.

She looked to be cruising to a routine first-round win after going 5-2 up in the opening set before Zakharova hit back to force a tiebreak.

Osaka recovered though to close out the set.

Another erratic second set from Osaka saw Zakharova recover from 5-3 down to level at 5-5, before holding for a 6-5 lead.

Osaka's powerful service game proved the difference though and she held to love before overwhelming Zakharova in the tiebreak.

(Y.Harris--TAG)