Naomi Osaka beats Zakharova in US Open opener wearing Allen Iverson-inspired outfit

2026-09-01 02:59 UTC – 2026-09-01 20:41 UTC

Neutral summary

Naomi Osaka defeated Russia's Anastasia Zakharova in the first round of the US Open in straight sets, with both sets decided by tie-breaks. Before the match, the Japanese player walked onto the Arthur Ashe Stadium court in a long white skirt and a gray hooded robe covered with newspaper clippings about herself, then revealed a black outfit and cornrows inspired by NBA legend Allen Iverson. Osaka said she admires Iverson and considers him a pioneer in sports fashion. She will face Katerina Siniakova in the second round.

How it was framed

Outlets: 15. Countries: 11. Facts in the shared core: 4.

Publication timeline

2026-09-01 02:59 · Sydney Morning Herald (outlet profile)
Crowd gasps as Osaka makes grand entrance. Naomi Osaka makes her grand entrance in a unique outfit at the US Open.
2026-09-01 04:21 · Inquirer.net (outlet profile)
Naomi Osaka's US Open look channels Allen Iverson. NEW YORK — Naomi Osaka channeled Allen Iverson as part of her US Open debut, and the former NBA superstar liked the look. Osaka made her usual fashionable entrance for…
2026-09-01 04:34 · Sky Sports (outlet profile)
Osaka channels NBA legend Iverson inspired look for US Open. Naomi Osaka made her usual fashionable entrance as she channelled former NBA superstar Allen Iverson as part of her US Open debut.
2026-09-01 04:48 · Asharq Al-Awsat (outlet profile)
Naomi Osaka's US Open Look Channels Allen Iverson with Gray Hoodie and Hair in Cornrows
2026-09-01 04:52 · Channel NewsAsia (outlet profile)
Osaka brings style and steel for winning start to US Open
2026-09-01 05:00 · Kicker (outlet profile)
Spektakulärer Auftritt: Osaka bei Münzwurf mit Fashion-Statement. Naomi Osaka und ihr Walk-On vor dem Match gegen Anastasia Zakharova zog mal wieder viele Blicke auf sich. Anschließend setzte sie sich souverän in zwei S…
2026-09-01 05:04 · Kicker (outlet profile)
Hommage an NBA-Legende: Das bedeutet der Auftritt von Osaka. Bei Grand-Slam-Turnieren sind alle Blicke auf Naomi Osaka gerichtet. Auch in New York präsentiert der Tennisstar ein spektakuläres Outfit. Mit diesem ehrt sie…
2026-09-01 05:06 · The Japan Times (outlet profile)
Osaka brings style and steel for winning start to U.S. Open. Naomi Osaka unveiled another bold Grand Slam walk-on outfit before battling to a victory over unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova.
2026-09-01 05:20 · Malay Mail (outlet profile)
Osaka channels NBA icon Iverson to power into US Open second round. NEW YORK, Sept 1 — Naomi Osaka channelled NBA fashion trailblazer Allen Iverson on Monday as she battled into the...
2026-09-01 05:21 · Daily Mail (outlet profile)
Naomi Osaka makes dramatic US Open entrance with striking ensemble honoring NBA legend Allen Iverson. Facing unseeded Russian Anastasia Zakharova in the opening round, the trend-setting Osaka donned several items linked…
2026-09-01 05:24 · Sky Sports (outlet profile)
Osaka channels NBA legend Iverson inspired look in opening US Open win. Naomi Osaka made her usual fashionable entrance as she channelled former NBA superstar Allen Iverson as part of her US Open debut.
2026-09-01 05:29 · The Independent (outlet profile)
Naomi Osaka channels NBA icon Allen Iverson with bold look before progressing at US Open. Osaka wrapped up a straight sets victory over Anastasia Zakharov
2026-09-01 05:30 · Sydney Morning Herald (outlet profile)
The unexpected sport that inspired Naomi Osaka’s US Open entrance. From sea creatures to Quentin Tarantino, the 28-year-old tennis star has no shortage of surprising stylistic inspiration to draw upon.
2026-09-01 05:31 · New York Post (outlet profile)
Naomi Osaka pays tribute to Allen Iverson with US Open look during hard-fought win. Osaka’s serve maxed out at 122 mph, but her hardest serve of the day undoubtedly was her match look.
2026-09-01 05:43 · Times of India (outlet profile)
Why Naomi Osaka walked onto US Open court in gray hoodie and cornrows. Naomi Osaka paid tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson at the 2026 US Open, arriving in a gray hooded robe before revealing a black outfit and cornrow…
2026-09-01 06:01 · Telegraf (outlet profile)
Grend slem šampionka izgledom začudila sve, u Njujorku se pojavila u maksi haljini, sve zbog legende NBA. Japanska teniserka Naomi Osaka je teže nego što se očekivalo prošla u drugo kolo US Opena, pošto je posle dva taj…
2026-09-01 09:04 · Le Parisien (outlet profile)
« Pour moi, il est un pionnier » : à l’US Open, Naomi Osaka a rendu hommage au basketteur Allen Iverson avec sa tenue
2026-09-01 10:19 · CNews (outlet profile)
«Quelqu’un que j’admire beaucoup» : Noami Osaka a rendu hommage à une star de la NBA avec une nouvelle tenue spectaculaire à l’US Open (vidéo). La Japonaise Naomi Osaka a rendu hommage à une star de la NBA avec une nouv…
2026-09-01 20:41 · Telegraf (outlet profile)
Bivša šampionka US Opena napravila šou i pomenula Alena Ajversona: "Nikada te nisam videla sa tom frizurom". Bivša šampionka US Opena napravila šou u Njujorku i pomenula Alena Ajversona: "To je baš lepa frizura, prvi pu…

Factual core

Naomi Osaka won her first-round match at the US Open.
Naomi Osaka paid tribute to Allen Iverson with her US Open look.
Naomi Osaka made a grand entrance in a unique outfit at the US Open.
Osaka's entrance outfit on the Arthur Ashe Stadium included a white hooded tunic with press clippings and a tulle train.

Full methodology →