Naomi Osaka arrived on the court sporting a fresh, fashion‑forward outfit and, after a gripping three‑set battle, secured a place in the US Open fourth round by defeating Elise Mertens. The Japanese star combined a sleek, business‑inspired look with an aggressive, all‑court strategy, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 on the historic Louis Armstrong Stadium. Osaka's pre‑match attire was a striking blend of corporate and athletic aesthetics.
She wore a grey, checked blazer‑hoodie paired with wide‑leg trousers, turning the conventional tennis warm‑up into a runway moment that hinted at confidence and composure. The ensemble, which mixed the formality of a boardroom with the comfort of a locker room, set the tone for a performance that was both stylish and hard‑hitting. When the match began, Osaka quickly established dominance, ripping off three consecutive games to lead 4-1 in the opening set.
Her serve was booming, her first‑serve percentage high, and she used the momentum to lock down the set with a decisive hold. "Honestly, I can't believe I won this match," Osaka admitted afterward, expressing gratitude to the crowd for their energy and acknowledging how surprised she was by the outcome. The second set saw a shift in dynamics.
Mertens, seeded 23rd, raised her intensity, attacking Osaka from the baseline and breaking early in the third game. However, Osaka responded by holding serve and then losing the next two games, allowing the Belgian to level the match at one set apiece. The contest entered a decisive third set, where Osaka’s nerves appeared to fray. She committed several unforced errors, and at one point a medical timeout was called, suggesting she was dealing with a physical or mental dip.
After the brief pause, Osaka regained her composure. She broke Mertens late in the set, then delivered a massive ace to push the score to 6-5.
Riding the surge of confidence, she unleashed a powerful forehand in the following game, sealing the match and earning a spot in the next round against either second‑seed Elena Rybakina or Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva. Post‑match, Osaka reflected on her performance with candor.
"I didn’t play amazing and it was getting me down, sorry about my behaviour, for the little kids watching," she said, apologizing after she had thrown her racket onto the court in frustration. She emphasized her love for the tournament, noting, "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 another headline match, American teenager Iva Jovic and the Philippines' Alexandra Eala, both rising stars and close friends, faced off in a three‑hour duel that ended with Jovic prevailing 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Their friendship had been on display earlier in the week during Fan Week, when they teamed up with their fathers for a light‑hearted doubles exhibition, underscoring the camaraderie that often exists behind the competition.
Jovic claimed the first set by a narrow margin, but Eala fought back in the second, raising her level and forcing a deciding set. The final set was a roller‑coaster of momentum swings: Jovic trailed 4-2 before mounting a fierce comeback, ultimately winning the set and extending her head‑to‑head record against Eala to 3‑0, with victories on hard, clay, and grass courts.
"That felt like a marathon. I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match.
But it's really worth it for this feeling," Jovic confessed, admitting that she rarely shows such raw emotion on court. "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 showdown with Coco Gauff, who advanced earlier in the day by defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
The upcoming clash promises to be a showcase of the next generation of U.S. women’s tennis talent.
The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, allowing fans to follow every serve, rally, and emotional moment without a contract. Additionally, the Laver Cup will be held at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also televised on Sky Sports, offering tennis enthusiasts a packed schedule of elite competition.