Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round of the French Open on Thursday, defeating Donna Vekic 7-6(1), 6-4 in a hard-fought second-round match. The former world No. 1, who has been making fashion statements at Roland Garros, wore a white floor-length flared train over her outfit for the match. Osaka, who reached the third round for the first time since 2019, will next face 16th seed Iva Jovic, who beat Emma Navarro 6-0, 6-3 earlier in the day.
Osaka, known for her distinctive on-court fashion, has been a standout presence at this year's tournament. She arrived for her first-round match in a flowing black skirt and corset before unveiling a shimmering gold dress, which she compared to the Eiffel Tower at night. For her second-round match against Vekic, she wore a beige train attached to her dress, which she removed before warm-ups.
The match was closely contested, with Osaka and Vekic trading breaks in the opening set before the Japanese star found her best form in the tiebreak. Vekic, the Paris Olympics silver medallist, began the second set with a series of drop shots but ultimately surrendered her serve in the ninth game. Osaka saved a break point in the next game to close out the victory in one hour and 50 minutes.
Osaka's fashion choices have drawn mixed reactions. Her first-round opponent, Laura Siegemund, criticized the time Osaka was given to change her outfit, saying, 'I come here to play tennis, not to put on a fashion show.' However, Osaka has defended her style, calling her outfits 'very couture' and comparing them to the Eiffel Tower at night.
The Japanese star has had success on the court as well, reaching the semifinals at the U.S. Open last year and winning two matches at the Australian Open before withdrawing due to injury. Her performance in Paris will determine whether she continues to make fashion statements or faces an early exit.