Naomi Osaka stepped onto the hard courts in a fresh ensemble and, true to form, delivered a composed performance that saw her edge past Elise Mertens in a gripping three‑set battle, securing a place in the fourth round of the US Open. Osaka’s outfit, a sleek blend of corporate polish and athletic comfort—a grey checked blazer‑hoodie paired with wide‑leg trousers—set the tone for a match that combined style with substance. The Japanese star’s aggressive tactics and unwavering focus enabled her to claim a 6‑3, 3‑6, 7‑5 victory over the 23rd‑seeded Belgian at the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium. The new look was more than a fashion statement; it was a visual metaphor for Osaka’s approach to the tournament.
By merging boardroom sophistication with locker‑room practicality, she signaled that she was ready to conduct business on the court while remaining grounded in the sport’s physical demands. The crowd responded enthusiastically, and Osaka, visibly moved, thanked the spectators for their energy, admitting, “Honestly, I can’t believe I won this match.
I gave my heart to every point, and I’m shocked I came out on top.” From the opening game, Osaka asserted herself, rattling off a run of three consecutive games to sprint to a 4‑1 lead in the first set. Her serve was particularly potent, delivering a string of thunderous aces that forced Mertens onto the defensive. Osaka closed the opening set with a hard‑fought hold, showcasing both power and precision. The second set saw a shift in momentum.
Osaka continued to attack from the baseline, unleashing heavy groundstrokes that pressured Mertens. A crucial break in the third game gave Osaka a brief advantage, but she was unable to consolidate, dropping the next two games and allowing the Belgian to level the match. Mertens, buoyed by the comeback, forced a decisive third set. In the final set, Osaka’s composure wavered at times, leading to a handful of unforced errors that gave Mertens brief windows of opportunity.
A medical timeout for Osaka added another layer of drama, but the Japanese champion emerged from the break with renewed vigor. After breaking late in the set, she fired an emphatic ace to take a 6‑5 lead. She then unleashed a forehand of such intensity that it sealed the match, earning her a spot against either second seed Elena Rybakina or Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in the next round. Post‑match, Osaka reflected on her performance, acknowledging that she had not played her best tennis and apologizing for her visible frustration, which included a moment where she tossed her racket onto the court.
“I didn’t play amazingly and it got me down. I’m sorry for my behavior, especially for the younger fans watching,” she said.
“This tournament is my favorite. I wanted to perform well for you all, and I’m grateful for the chance to keep competing.” She admitted to feeling “shaky” at times but emphasized her determination to push through.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, home‑grown hope Iva Jovic faced compatriot Alexandra Eala in a tightly contested encounter that lasted nearly three hours. The two young players, who share a close friendship off the court, set aside their camaraderie for the sake of competition at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After a lively Fan Week exhibition where they teamed up with their fathers for a light‑hearted doubles match, they met in a serious showdown. Jovic captured the opening set 7‑5, displaying resilience and tactical acuity.
Eala responded in the second set, elevating her game to claim a 6‑3 win and force a decisive third set. The final set turned into a roller‑coaster of momentum swings.
At one point, Jovic trailed 4‑2, but she rallied, clawing back to win the set 7‑5 and extend her head‑to‑head record against Eala to 3‑0, having defeated her on each of the three major surfaces. After the match, an exhausted but elated Jovic described the experience as “a marathon,” noting that she felt she had “lost my sanity five times over” to secure the victory. She confessed that she rarely displays such raw emotion, but this win meant a great deal to her, especially as it secured another opportunity to compete at the US Open.
Her triumph sets up an all‑American clash with rising star Coco Gauff, who advanced earlier in the tournament by overcoming Spain’s Cristina Bucsa. Both Osaka and Jovic’s performances underscore the depth of talent and drama that the US Open continues to deliver. Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports from August 30 onward, stream matches without a contract via NOW or the Sky Sports app, and even attend the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, all broadcast live on Sky Sports.