Osaka Set to Weather Baptiste Challenge as U.S. Open Second Round Comes Into Focus
Naomi Osaka carries strong form into the second round of the 2025 U.S. Open, meeting American Hailey Baptiste at Louis Armstrong Stadium this afternoon. A former two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, Osaka is playing the best tennis she’s shown in years, with a fierce mix of power and focus that could fuel another deep run in the tournament.
Just before the Open, Osaka reached the Canadian Open final, taking the first set with confidence before succumbing in three sets to Victoria Mboko, the 18-year-old rising star. The loss underscored Osaka’s emotional resolve and the need to stay composed as she navigates a demanding draw.
Baptiste, 23, is enjoying a breakout season of her own. She reached the French Open fourth round and the Wimbledon third round, and she just earned her first-ever U.S. Open main-draw win by defeating Katerina Siniakova 7–5, 6–3. That momentum suggests she’ll push Osaka hard on home soil.
Osaka leads Baptiste 2–0 in their head-to-head, with both of their previous meetings coming in 2025—the Auckland quarterfinals and the Miami Open—each going to three sets. Baptiste’s competitive grit and recent success show she can stretch Osaka, even on a big occasion.
Prediction: Osaka in three sets. Osaka’s current form and experience give her the edge, but Baptiste’s crowd support and the sting of near-misses against Osaka in the past could make at least one set fiercely contested. Expect a tight, multi-set clash.
How to watch Hailey Baptiste vs. Naomi Osaka
The match is expected to start around 1:30 PM Eastern at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing. ESPN will air portions of the action as part of its whip-around coverage, with live streams available on the ESPN app and website. A dedicated match stream is also offered to ESPN+ subscribers. Standalone ESPN+ subscriptions begin at $11.99 per month.
Details
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Start Time: Around 1:30 PM Eastern
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, NY
Court: Louis Armstrong Stadium
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website, ESPN+ (dedicated match stream)
This match adds another chapter to two players already familiar with drama on big stages. Osaka aims to translate her recent form into another deep Grand Slam run, while Baptiste looks to build on a season of breakthroughs and keep her momentum going in New York.
Brief takeaway: Osaka’s combination of power and experience gives her the advantage, but Baptiste’s breakout year and home crowd energy ensure this is far from a one-sided affair. If Osaka can maintain focus after tough moments in recent events, she remains a strong favorite to advance.