Australian Open 2026: Naomi Osaka stuns with outfit before advancing, Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner move on

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka navigated a tricky first-round test at the Australian Open on Tuesday, battling past Croatia's Antonio Ružić 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the second round.

The 28-year-old, who won the title in Melbourne in 2019 and 2021, relied on a dominant serve—firing 11 aces and winning 72% of her first-serve points—to overcome a second-set stumble. Osaka's post-match comments drew as much attention as her performance, as she revealed her vibrant outfit was inspired by a jellyfish.

"I modeled it after a jellyfish," Osaka said with a smile.

Osaka, who reached the third round last year, will face Romania's Sorana Cîrstea on Thursday as she continues her quest for a third Australian Open crown.

Elsewhere on Day 2, American Taylor Fritz recovered after dropping the second set to defeat France's Valentin Royer 7-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. The ninth seed will next play Czech qualifier Vít Kopřiva.

Second seed Jannik Sinner enjoyed a straightforward passage, leading 6-2, 6-1 when his opponent, France's Hugo Gaston, was forced to retire due to an ongoing Achilles issue. The Italian, a two-time defending champion, offered warm words to Gaston before advancing to a second-round meeting with Australia's James Duckworth.