Naomi Osaka Advancesbr in US Open With, First-Roundbr Win Over, Marie Bouzková .br On Monday night, Naomi Osaka successfully defeatedbr Marie Bouzková in the first round of the U.S. Open. .br She is currently ranked No. 3 in the world,br and Bouzková is ranked No. 87.br She is currently ranked No. 3 in the world,br and Bouzková is ranked No. 87.br Osaka won the match 6-4, 6-1.br Bouzková kept up with Osaka well until thebr ninth game of the first set, when the momentumbr shifted strongly in favor of Osaka. .br With the score tiedbr 4-4, Osaka overcamebr Bouzková with two acesbr and a service winner. .br With the score tiedbr 4-4, Osaka overcamebr Bouzková with two acesbr and a service winner. .br She went on to close out the set minutesbr later and then the match thereafter. .br It feels kind of crazy to play in front of everyone again. I feel really comfortable here. I'm just glad I won, Naomi Osaka, via statement.br The 23-year-old tennis star will now play against Serbianbr qualifier Olga Danilović in a second-round matchup. .br If Osaka goes all the way and winsbr the U.S. Open, she would be the first back-to-backbr champion since Serena Williams. .br If Osaka goes all the way and winsbr the U.S. Open, she would be the first back-to-backbr champion since Serena Williams. .br Williams, who is out this year due to a torn hamstring,br won her third consecutive U.S. Open title in 2014. .br Osaka began her 2021 season strong by takingbr the champion title at the Australian Open. .br She went on to withdraw frombr Wimbledon in June and thebr French Open in July to focus onbr her own mental health issues. .br The four-time Grand Slambr winner did compete at thebr Tokyo Olympics, but lostbr in the third round.