US Open 2024: Naomi Osaka vs Jelena Ostapenko preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (10) Jelena Ostapenko vs [WC] Naomi Osaka

Date: August 27, 2024

Tournament: US Open 2024

Round: First round (Round of 128)

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, United States

Category: Grand Slam

Surface: Hard

Prize money: $75,000,000

Live telecast: USA - ESPN | Canada - TSN | UK - Sky Sports | India - Sony Sports

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Naomi Osaka vs Jelena Ostapenko preview

Jelena Ostapenko looks on at Canadian Open 2024

Two-time titlist Naomi Osaka will take on 10th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in the first round of the 2024 US Open next week.

Osaka, ranked 88th in the world, is in dire need of a good showing at Flushing Meadows. The former World No. 1 had fared well in the first half of 2014, as she made it to the quarterfinals and the Round of 16 at the WTA 1000 events in Qatar and Rome, respectively.

However, the 26-year-old has slowed down considerably in the last few weeks. She suffered a low point in her 2024 season at the recently concluded Cincinnati Open, where she bowed out to USA's Ashlyn Krueger in the second qualifying round.

Ostapenko on the other hand, has been in much better form, winning 29 of her 44 WTA Tour outings. The 2017 French Open champion has been consistent at the big tournaments this year, while also staking her claim to two pro titles.

For what it's worth, though, the Latvian has dropped only five sets dating back to Wimbledon in July. She will hopefully replicate her 2023 US Open form, which saw her upset World No. 1 Iga Swiatek en route to the last eight.

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Naomi Osaka vs Jelena Ostapenko head-to-head

Osaka leads Ostapenko by a margin of 1-0 in their head-to-head meetings. The Japanese defeated her older opponent in straight sets in the second round of the 2016 French Open.

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Naomi Osaka vs Jelena Ostapenko odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games (Over/Under)
Jelena Ostapenko	+105	-1.5 (+210)	Over 21.5 (-120)
Naomi Osaka	-125	+1.5 (-350)	Under 21.5 (-120)

All bets sourced from BetMGM.

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Naomi Osaka vs Jelena Ostapenko prediction

Naomi Osaka poses with the 2018 US Open title

Although Osaka has been struggling with her rhythm since her 2023 sabbatical, she is always a force to reckon with at the US Open. The Japanese won the New York Major in 2018 and 2020 in spectacular fashion — this alone would warrant that she shouldn't be undermined in her daunting opener against Ostapenko.

The 27-year-old Latvian, meanwhile, is both consistent and can play as aggressively as Osaka. That said, she can be mercurial at times and blow big opportunities while leading in matches, which certainly bodes well for her younger opponent.

This riveting encounter will come down to both former Major winners' mental strength. Osaka is yet to get into a good groove this year, though, giving Ostapenko the edge.

Pick: Ostapenko to win in three sets.