US Open: Naomi Osaka joins Emma Raducanu in crashing OUT in round one

Soon after defending champion Emma Raducanu had fallen it was the the turn of two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka to come to the end of the road in New York with a straight sets loss to Danielle Collins. 

Osaka, winner at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020, was culpable of over-hitting on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court as she lost 7-6, 6-3 to Collins, who has impressed this year having reached the Australian Open final back at the start of 2022.

For Osaka she looked devoid of any belief come the final few points and this marks the first time since 2017 that she will end a season without winning a Grand Slam title. 

Collins, the 19th seed for the tournament, showed real composure and finesse to blow Osaka away on the showpiece court.

The home favourite, who hails from Florida, looked to be in trouble early on with Osaka, at a surprisingly low ranking of world No 44 following a mixed season to date, racing out to a 3-0 lead. 

But it was not to last and Collins dug in and rallied back to take the first set 7-6 (7-5) in a tie-break. 

Collins, who will face Spain’s Cristina Bucsa next, held her nerve as Osaka didn’t in a second set with the American penning the decisive break at 4-3 to go 5-3 up and a game away. 

Osaka, to her credit, came within touching distance of winning that break of serve back and keeping the match alive after taking a 15-40 lead in the ninth game.

But Collins rallied back to deuce and from there seized victory on her first match point when Osaka hit a return long.

More to follow.