Naomi Osaka vs Anastasia Zakharova Preview & Prediction | 2026 US Open | First Round

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Naomi Osaka takes on Anastasia Zakharova in round one of the US Open.

Start date/time: 31 August 2026 at 4:00 pm

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – ESPN+

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Naomi Osaka vs Anastasia Zakharova ticket information

Naomi Osaka vs Anastasia Zakharova prediction

Naomi Osaka will be aiming to win a third US Open and fifth major title when she begins her 2026 campaign in New York. She has been very consistent during the North American hard court swing, reaching the semi-finals in Washington before making the quarter-finals in Toronto, where she eventually fell to Elena Rybakina in three sets. Osaka subsequently withdrew from Cincinnati citing fatigue, giving her additional recovery time before New York.  

Her first-round opponent is Anastasia Zakharova. She failed to make it out of qualifying in Cincinnati after a straight sets defeat to Lucrezia Stefanini. The Russian did win two matches at the start of the month in Memphis to reach the quarters, but Osaka represents a very tough first-round encounter at Flushing Meadows. 

Osaka’s powerful serve and ability to dictate early in rallies should allow her control for much of this contest.  

Naomi Osaka vs Anastasia Zakharova tip: Naomi Osaka to win 2-0