Osaka, Keys mount thrilling fightbacks, Auger-Aliassime exits at US Open

Naomi Osaka survived a turbulent match at the U.S. Open, while Madison Keys saved five match points to keep her campaign alive. Their fightbacks contrasted with the early exit of men’s third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Osaka, a two-time champion and a perennial New York crowd favorite, overcame Czech player Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. She recovered from a mid-match lapse with the mental resolve she has developed on the court where she won her first major title eight years ago.

“I just told myself that it’s an honour to play on this court,” Osaka told the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I just want to keep playing in front of you guys if possible.”

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I just told myself that it’s an honour to play on this court. I just want to keep playing in front of you guys if possible.

Keys produced an even more dramatic comeback on the outer courts. The American defeated Hungary’s Anna Bondar 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5), hitting 34 forehand winners before Bondar made an error at the net on match point. “That was something, huh? No stress though, we all knew I had it, right?” Keys told the crowd after the match.

Auger-Aliassime, a semifinalist last year, won the opening set against Russia’s Karen Khachanov but then lost 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. He became the highest-seeded man to leave the tournament so far.

After several days of rain, sunny weather returned to New York. Iga Swiatek beat Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in an unusually early-round appearance on the outdoor courts. Fans then awaited an evening schedule featuring 2023 champion Coco Gauff against Paula Badosa and top-seeded Alexander Zverev against France’s Quentin Halys. Gael Monfils was also set to face American Learner Tien, followed by Elena Rybakina’s match against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

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That was something, huh? No stress though, we all knew I had it, right?