Naomi Osaka stepped onto the hard courts of Flushing Meadows in a fresh, fashion‑forward outfit and delivered a gritty three‑set win over Belgium’s Elise Mertens, securing her place in the fourth round of the US Open. The Japanese star’s blend of sleek, business‑inspired attire and aggressive baseline play proved decisive as she edged a 6‑3, 3‑6, 7‑5 victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Osaka’s latest pre‑match look was a striking mix of corporate and athletic elements. She paired a grey, checked blazer‑hoodie with wide‑leg trousers, creating a tailored yet relaxed silhouette that turned heads in the players’ tunnel. The outfit, which combined the crispness of a boardroom suit with the comfort of gym wear, underscored her reputation as a style icon on the tour. When asked about her performance, Osaka admitted she was still processing the win.
“Honestly, I can’t believe I won this match,” she told the crowd, expressing gratitude for the energy they supplied. “There was a moment when I gave everything I had on the court, point after point. Thank you so much, but I’m genuinely shocked I came out on top.
I’m not going to lie.” The 28‑year‑old, a two‑time US Open champion, started the match strongly, rattling off three consecutive games to jump to a 4‑1 lead in the opening set. Her serve was booming, and she held her nerve to close the set 6‑3 after a series of powerful service games that left Mertens scrambling for answers. The second set saw a shift in momentum. Osaka attacked the Belgian from the baseline with heavy, penetrating groundstrokes, breaking Mertens in the third game.
However, she could not sustain the pressure and dropped the next two games, allowing Mertens to level the match at one set all. In the decisive third set, both players traded blows.
Mertens tried to capitalize on a few unforced errors from an increasingly frustrated Osaka, but the Japanese contender called a medical timeout, which gave her a brief moment to regroup. After returning, Osaka broke late in the set, then followed with a thunderous ace to go up 6‑5. She unleashed a ferocious forehand in the next game, sealing the set and the match, and earning a quarter‑final clash with either second seed Elena Rybakina or Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Reflecting on the roller‑coaster of emotions, Osaka acknowledged she had not played her best tennis. “I didn’t play amazingly and it was getting me down. I’m sorry for my behavior, especially for the kids watching,” she said, noting that she had thrown her racket to the floor in a moment of frustration.
“This tournament is my favorite. I wanted to play well in front of you. I’m just so grateful for the chance to compete again.
I thought I would be okay, but clearly I was shaky.” In another compelling match, home‑grown hopeful Iva Jovic faced her compatriot and friend Alexandra Eala of the Philippines. The two friends set aside their camaraderie for a three‑hour battle on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the 18‑year‑old American emerging victorious 7‑5, 3‑6, 7‑5 to move into the fourth round. Jovic and Eala had previously shared the court during New York’s Fan Week, where they teamed up with their fathers for a light‑hearted doubles exhibition.
Their competitive encounter this year was anything but casual. Jovic claimed the opening set in a tight fashion, but Eala rallied in the second, raising her level and forcing a deciding set.
The final set was a study in momentum swings. Eala surged ahead to 4‑2, but Jovic fought back fiercely, eventually turning the tide and clinching the set 7‑5. The win extended Jovic’s head‑to‑head advantage over Eala to 3‑0, with each victory coming on a different surface, highlighting Jovic’s adaptability.
After the match, an exhausted Jovic described the experience as a marathon. “It felt like a marathon. I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match. But it’s worth it for this feeling,” she said.
“I’m not usually someone who shows many emotions, but this one meant a lot to me. It’s everything to have another match at the US Open.” Jovic’s triumph sets up an all‑American showdown with Coco Gauff, who advanced earlier in the day by defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa. The upcoming quarter‑final promises a high‑octane contest between two of the tournament’s rising stars.
The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming available on NOW and the Sky Sports App without a contract. Tennis fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will also be shown live on Sky Sports.