Rybakina tops Osaka, eyes US Open run toward No. 1 by facing Zheng
Elena Rybakina defeated Naomi Osaka to advance at the US Open and will face Zheng next, keeping her bid to become world No. 1 alive.
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Osaka
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Osaka fights back to reach US Open third round as Swiatek advances
Naomi Osaka recovered from a second-set blip to beat Katerina Siniakova in three sets and advance to the US Open third round (set to meet Elise Mertens), while Iga Swiatek won in straight sets against Nadia Podoroska. Madison Keys survived a late scare against Anna Bondar to win in a deciding tiebreak. Osaka also notches 80 Grand Slam singles wins and becomes the second Japanese woman in the Open era to reach the third round at all four majors in a single season.
Bouzkova ousts Dart as Osaka and Swiatek star in US Open day five drama
On US Open day five, Marie Bouzkova eliminates Harriet Dart in straight sets to reach the third round, ending Britain’s singles hopes; Naomi Osaka fights back to defeat Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1; Madison Keys comes from 5-2 down to beat Anna Bondar 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (10-5); Iga Swiatek beats Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2; Amanda Anisimova moves into a deciding set against Lilli Tagger, while Taylor Fritz is in action with BBC Radio 5 Live providing live coverage and Fran Jones remains Britain’s last in the singles draw.
Japan carries out first execution under Takaichi government, Osaka arson killer Takami hanged
Sunao Takami, 58, who killed five people by setting fire to an Osaka pachinko parlor in 2009, was hanged in Japan—marking the first execution under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government after a 2011 murder/arson conviction and a 2016 Supreme Court upholding of the death sentence. The case highlights Japan’s continued use of capital punishment amid global criticism and calls for greater transparency, as executions are carried out in secrecy. Japan remains one of the few G7 nations with the death penalty, alongside the United States, a point noted in the coverage.
Japan carries out first execution in over a year for Osaka pachinko blaze
Japan has executed Sunao Takami, 58, for the 2009 arson attack on a pachinko parlour in Osaka that killed five people, marking the first death sentence carried out in over a year and the first under the Takaichi administration; authorities rejected the defense’s mental illness argument, underscoring Japan’s status as a remaining G7 nation with the death penalty.
Osaka sails into Wimbledon last-16 as Kasatkina undone on Court One
Naomi Osaka, the 14th seed, defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-3 on Court One to reach Wimbledon’s fourth round for the first time, showcasing strong grass-court form and remaining undefeated at Wimbledon this fortnight; she could face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the next round if Sabalenka beats Ostapenko.
Paris Night Showdown: Sabalenka's Fire Faces Osaka's Ice
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka faces Naomi Osaka in a high-stakes night match at Roland Garros, carrying a 2-1 head-to-head advantage this year including Madrid. Osaka, on clay, remains a serious test as the second week begins, with Sabalenka eager to be pushed and prepared for a late-round clash. The clash is framed as fire versus ice, a pivotal showcase as both players aim for a deep run.
Sabalenka-Osaka Night Match Could Open Doors for Women's Prime Time at Roland Garros
For the first time since 2023, the French Open aired a primetime women's night match on Court Philippe Chatrier, featuring Aryna Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka in the fourth round. The high-quality 7-5 6-3 win under the lights drew near-capacity crowds and sparked calls from both players to continue showcasing women's matches at night, while tournament director Amelie Mauresmo noted factors like match length influence scheduling. The result is seen as a potential opening for more women's night sessions in Paris.
Sabalenka Advances to Roland-Garros Quarterfinals After Edging Osaka
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 at Roland-Garros to reach the quarterfinals, delivering a dominant serving performance (12 aces, 39 winners) and aggressive net play as she chases her first Paris title.
Sabalenka's booming serve sends Osaka packing as Paris awaits quarterfinals
Aryna Sabalenka used a dominant serve and smart net play to defeat Naomi Osaka at Roland Garros, delivering 12 aces to Osaka's two and breaking Osaka in the 11th game of the first set before closing it out. She carried the pressure into the second set, converting a late break to advance to the French Open quarterfinals.
Sabalenka-Osaka Headline Day 9 as Roland Garros Nears the Quarterfinals
Day 9 at Roland Garros tightens the field toward the quarterfinals with a marquee Sabalenka–Osaka clash; predictions lean toward Sabalenka prevailing, though conditions on clay could test Osaka, while other matches see Potapova favored over Kalinskaya, Parry over Chwalinska, and Keys over Shnaider, with crowd support and slow clay likely influencing several results.
Sabalenka and Osaka to headline Roland Garros night session, first for women since 2023
Aryna Sabalenka’s fourth-round clash with Naomi Osaka will be the French Open’s first women’s night-session since 2023, continuing a pattern where primetime slots have largely favored men. Sabalenka, the world No.1, faces four-time major winner Osaka as two of the game's biggest stars. The move feeds into a broader debate about showcasing women’s tennis at Roland Garros, with WTA chief Valerie Camillo and tournament director Amélie Mauresmo discussing the issue; officials say night sessions will remain single-match affairs to avoid late finishes, and tickets for the sessions range from €60 to €280.
Sabalenka Advances to French Open Last-16, Sets Osaka Showdown
Aryna Sabalenka eased into the French Open last-16 with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Daria Kasatkina to set up a mouth-watering fourth-round clash with Naomi Osaka, who beat Iva Jovic to reach the same stage; both players are chasing their first Paris title, with Sabalenka having won both 2026 meetings against Osaka, while Osaka seeks her first Roland Garros crown.
Giant 13-meter steel pipe protrudes from Osaka highway during sewer work
A giant steel pipe rising up to 13 metres protruded from the ground on a Osaka city highway during sewer construction, according to local authorities; video of the incident was not playable due to a technical error, and no injuries were reported.
Giant sewer pipe shoots up in Osaka, halting traffic
In Osaka, an 11.5-foot-diameter sewer pipe suddenly rose more than 32 feet from a construction site, nearly reaching an elevated road and prompting road closures. Officials say draining water may have buoyed the empty pipe, which was later lowered back into the ground after firefighters cut a side opening and injected water; the final 5.2 feet will be removed, keeping streets closed for several more days with no injuries reported.