"This is how they repay Jelena Ostapenko for gifting Coco Gauff her 1st Slam" - Fans bemoan Naomi Osaka & Latvian's 'diabolical' 1R meeting at US Open
Naomi Osaka and Jelena Ostapenko are poised for a blockbuster showdown in the first round of the 2024 US Open. However, fans are dismayed that the high-profile clash is taking place so early, as it guarantees that either Osaka or Ostapenko will be knocked out of the Major right away.
Ostapenko has entered the US Open as the 10th seed, on the hunt for her second Grand Slam title. Meanwhile, Osaka has received wildcard entry into the main draw on her return to Flushing Meadows after becoming a mother, in pursuit of her third title at the New York Major.
The duo's clash in the first round of the US Open will mark only their second meeting on tour. Naomi Osaka emerged victorious in their sole previous encounter, claiming a 6-4, 7-5 win over the Latvian at the 2016 French Open.
As anticipation builds for their powerful games to clash, fans have voiced their disappointment over their first-round battle.
One fan joked about Ostapenko being done dirty by the draw, especially after she facilitated Coco Gauff's triumph at the US Open last year by knocking Iga Swiatek out in the fourth round.
"This is how they repay Queen Penko for gifting Coco her first slam last year???" the fan quipped.
"Osaka-ostapenko 1R is diabolical," another fan wrote.
"Me seeing penko - osaka 1st round," a fan joked.
Fans also lamented that the real losers would be the audience, expressing their dismay at either Naomi Osaka or Jelena Ostapenko being ousted from the Major right away.
"Whyyyyyyy. This is a R3 matchup. Now the audience is the biggest loss after whomever doesn't move on," one fan commented.
"This should be the final and it's the 1st round ðŸ˜," another fan chimed in.
"Why do we have to pit two strong women against each other in round 1 ðŸ˜," a fan wrote.
"I just find it sad one of these two won’t make it to R2," said yet another.
Naomi Osaka and Jelena Ostapenko drawn in opposite halves from Coco Gauff at US Open 2024
Naomi Osaka and Jelena Ostapenko have been drawn in the opposite half from third seed and defending champion Coco Gauff at the 2024 US Open. As such, the American can only face Osaka or Ostapenko in the final.
The winner of the match between Naomi Osaka and Jelena Ostapenko will square off against Karolina Muchova or Katie Volynets in the second round, with the likes of Leylah Fernandez, Jasmine Paolini, Bianca Andreescu and Yulia Putintseva looming in their quarter.
Gauff, meanwhile, will commence her title defense against Varvara Gracheva. If the American emerges victorious against Gracheva, she will take on Tatjana Maria or Solana Sierra in the second round, followed by a possible third-round clash with Elina Svitolina.
The 20-year-old will likely face Emma Navarro or Marta Kostyuk in the fourth round, with Paula Badosa, Barbora Krejcikova and Victoria Azarenka looming as her potential quarterfinal opponents.