Aryna Salalenka beats Naomi Osaka by message for ‘the garden cup’. pic.twitter.com/HjeCCwb0L0
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) December 9, 2025
Just days after beating Osaka at the Atlanta Cup, Sabalenka repeated the feat in New York, this time with a 6–4 7–5 victory. Remarkably, Sabalenka has spent more time relaxing in the Maldives than training since the end of the season, but she still looked refreshed, loose and dangerous.
This is INCREDIBLE 😂👏🍿@SabalenkaA brings fan outside, but wait for it… pic.twitter.com/I3ePx8lRsa
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 9, 2025
Osaka stole the show in the fashion department, arriving in her iconic 2024 US Open dress topped with a statement white bow.
The clash between two two-time US Open champions included an entertaining stoppage, when a fan was invited onto the court to play a pair of points against Osaka and Sabalenka. A funny moment was when Osaka ordered him to do push-ups at the end.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will make her MSG debut at ‘The Garden Cup.’ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eFhFMAP0ih
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) December 9, 2025
Before the women’s match got underway, iconic Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour stepped onto the field for the ceremonial toss. Her presence added an unmistakably New York atmosphere to the evening.
Nick Kyrgios, who has chosen a tough practice schedule over formal tour preparation ahead of the 2026 Australian swing, pushed Tommy Paul to a decisive match tiebreak. Kyrgios took the first set 6–4, but Paul turned the momentum to take the second 6–3 and then sealed the match 10–5.
Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios defeat Aryna Sabalenka and Tommy Paul in the mixed doubles showdown at ‘The Garden Cup.’ pic.twitter.com/cHSJqaqcgW
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) December 9, 2025
To end the evening, Osaka and Kyrgios joined forces in a mixed doubles match and earned a victory over Sabalenka and Paul.
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