From boardroom chic to battling win, Osaka reaches US Open last 16

Naomi Osaka paired a boardroom-inspired outfit with a hard-fought victory on Saturday, beating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the US Open last 16.

The Japanese 13th seed, a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, took the first set under the lights at Louis Armstrong Stadium after opening a 4-1 lead. She secured it with a demanding hold built around a series of powerful serves.

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Honestly, I can’t believe I won this match.

Osaka pressed Mertens from the baseline early in the second set and broke in the third game, but surrendered the advantage by dropping the next two games. After Mertens levelled the match, Osaka struggled with unforced errors and frustration in the decider. She also took a medical timeout as the momentum shifted again.

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There was a certain point where I put my heart on the court and kept trying in every point. Thank you so much, but honestly, I’m shocked I won. I’m not going to lie.

“Honestly, I can’t believe I won this match,” Osaka said while thanking the crowd for its energy. She apologised for her behaviour after throwing her racket and said she had put her heart into every point. “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.”

Osaka recovered a late break, hit a major ace for a 6-5 lead and attacked with her forehand in the next game to close out the match. She will meet Elena Rybakina or Yuliia Starodubtseva in the fourth round.

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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.