Naomi Osaka Shines in Paris: Dominates Vekic to Reach French Open Third Round

Naomi Osaka is making major headlines in Paris, both for her powerhouse performance on the clay and her bold style choices. On Thursday, May 28, 2026, the four-time Grand Slam champion secured a spot in the third round of the French Open for the first time in seven years. Osaka overcame Croatia’s Donna Vekic with a hard-fought 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 victory on Court Simonne Mathieu.

The match was a test of resilience for the Japanese star. Facing the Paris Olympics silver medallist, Osaka had to retrieve an early break in the first set before dominating the tie-break, where she allowed Vekic only a single point. In the second set, Vekic attempted to disrupt Osaka's rhythm with a series of drop shots, but Osaka remained composed. She secured a decisive break in the ninth game and served out the match in just under two hours.

This victory marks a significant milestone in Osaka’s comeback journey. Since returning to the tour in early 2024 following the birth of her daughter, this is the first time she has reached the second week of a major outside of her US Open run last year. Her last deep run at Roland Garros was back in 2019, making this return to form particularly special for her fans.

However, it wasn't just the tennis that got people talking. Osaka turned the court into a literal runway, arriving for the match in a white floor-length flared train layered over a metallic gold bomber jacket and a sequined match dress. While fans loved the look, some peers were less impressed. German player Laura Siegemund criticized the attire, calling it a 'fashion show' and expressing frustration over the time it took for Osaka to be ready to play.

Undeterred by the criticism, Osaka is focusing on the competition ahead. She is set to face 16th seed Iva Jovic in the third round. The American teenager reached the round by defeating Emma Navarro 6-0, 6-3. With both players aiming to reach the last 16 at Roland Garros for the first time, the upcoming clash promises to be a highlight of the tournament.

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