Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff needed three sets to advance into the second round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday (August 28). 

Osaka won a tight first set 6-4, lost the second 6-7 in a tiebreaker, and won the third 6-2 over Anna Blinkova. 

Osaka is the defending champ and started her 2019 campaign strong by winning in Oz (Australian Open). She’s currently the No. 1 ranked player in the world. 

But since her second major title, she split with coach Sascha Bajin, hasn’t made it past the first week at a major, and has been struggling with confidence and injuries. 

Gauff lost the first set 3-6 to Anastasia Potapova before rallying to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-4. 

Gauff burst onto the scene at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. She upset five-time champion and former world No. 1 Venus Williams on her way to the fourth round of the tourney. 

“Coco-mania” swept England, and she was praised by her competitors and media members. She was granted a wild card entry to this year’s U.S. Open. 

If both women win their second round matches, they will square off in the third round. 

It wasn’t all roses for the “next generation” of women’s tennis on Day 2 of the U.S. Open. 

2017 champion Sloane Stephens was beaten in straight sets by qualifier Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-4.

Since winning the Open and advancing to the Finals at Wimbledon in 2018, her results have been shaky. 

Days before the start of the Open she announced she’d be reuniting with Kamau Murray, the coach who oversaw her grand slam win. 

But it was to no avail as Sloane was unable to recapture that magic. She looked out of sorts and unsure in key moments. Uncharacteristic for the former No. 3 in the world. 

Still in all, tennis and sports fans should get used to these names. Their time is upon us. 

Serena Williams is the reigning “Queen” of tennis, and eventually her reign will come to an end. 

But she and her sister Venus will have played a large part in shaping the future of the women’s game. 

Osaka and Gauff both refer to Serena and Venus as idols. 

They were young girls dreaming of playing tennis, watching the Williams Sisters win major titles. 

Now they are on tour with them, competing against them. 

These ladies also share something in common beyond tennis. They are all Black. So too is Stephens, Madison Keys and reigning ITF Junior World Champion Whitney Osuigwe. 

At the same tournament where pioneer Althea Gibson was honored just a few days ago, it’s quite a statement to see shining bright examples of Black excellence.