Naomi Osaka stepped onto the court sporting a fresh, fashion‑forward ensemble and, after a hard‑fought three‑set battle, secured a place in the US Open fourth round by defeating Elise Mertens. The Japanese star combined a sleek, business‑inspired outfit with an aggressive, all‑court game to clinch a 6‑3, 3‑6, 7‑5 victory over the 23rd‑seeded Belgian on the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium.
For this appearance, Osaka merged the formality of a boardroom look with the comfort of athletic wear, opting for a grey checked blazer‑hoodie paired with wide‑leg trousers. The tailored yet relaxed attire gave her a distinctive edge, turning the pre‑match walk‑on into a style statement that echoed her confidence on the baseline. "Honestly, I can't believe I won this match," Osaka admitted afterward, expressing gratitude to the crowd for their energy.
"There was a moment when I poured my heart into every point. Thank you so much, but honestly, I'm shocked I won. I'm not going to lie." The 28‑year‑old, already a two‑time champion at Flushing Meadows, exploded out of the gate, rattling off three consecutive games to jump to a 4‑1 lead in the opening set.
She sealed the set with a series of thunderous serves that left Mertens scrambling. In the second set, Osaka shifted tactics, using heavy baseline strokes to press the Belgian. She broke early in the third game but then slipped, dropping the next two games and allowing Mertens to level the match at one set all.
The decisive third set was a roller‑coaster of momentum. Mertens capitalized on a handful of unforced errors from a visibly frustrated Osaka, gaining the upper hand.
However, Osaka called a medical timeout, regrouped, and returned with renewed vigor. After breaking Mertens late in the set, Osaka delivered a massive ace to go up 6‑5. She followed that with an aggressive forehand winner, 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 her performance, Osaka said, "I didn't play amazing and it was getting me down, sorry about my behaviour, for the little kids watching," after she briefly tossed her racket onto the floor in frustration. "This is my favourite tournament. I wanted to play well in front of you. I'm just that glad I have the opportunity to play another match.
I thought I was going to be ok, but clearly I was shaky." In a separate draw, home‑grown hope Iva Jovic and the Philippines’ rising talent Alexandra Eala turned their friendship into a fierce three‑hour duel on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 18‑year‑old American emerged victorious with a 7‑5, 3‑6, 7‑5 win, securing her spot in 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.
This time, however, the stakes were much higher. Jovic edged a tightly contested first set, but Eala fought back in the second, raising her level to force a deciding set. The final set saw several swings in momentum. Jovic fell behind 4‑2 but rallied, eventually closing out the match and extending her head‑to‑head record against Eala to 3‑0, with victories on each of the three major surfaces (hard, clay, and grass).
After the win, Jovic described the experience as "a marathon," noting, "I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match. But it's really worth it for this feeling. I'm usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me.
It's everything to have another match at the US Open." Jovic’s triumph sets up an all‑American quarter‑final against Coco Gauff, who advanced earlier in the day by defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa. The tournament continues to deliver high‑drama matchups as the field narrows. The US Open broadcast remains live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering viewers contract‑free access. Additionally, tennis fans can catch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also streamed on Sky Sports.
Overall, Osaka’s blend of style, poise, and tenacity, combined with Jovic’s gritty determination, exemplify the compelling narratives emerging from this year’s US Open. Both players demonstrated why they are considered among the sport’s most exciting young talents, delivering performances that will be remembered long after the final point is played.