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

PUBLISHED Sep 6, 2026, 12:52 AM ET

Japanese 13th seed Naomi Osaka overcame a persistent Achilles injury and a tense three-set battle to defeat Belgium's Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 on Saturday, advancing to the U.S. Open fourth round. Showcasing her signature pre-match fashion in a grey checked blazer-hoodie and wide-leg pants, Osaka initially cruised through the first set under the lights of Louis Armstrong Stadium. However, Mertens capitalized on unforced errors and forced a decisive third set, during which Osaka required a medical timeout, massage, and pain relief for her left Achilles. Despite throwing her racket in frustration, Osaka rallied from a break down late in the decider, firing a crucial ace to take a 6-5 lead before sealing the victory with a powerful forehand. Osaka expressed shock at her win and now advances to face Elena Rybakina in the round of 16 at Flushing Meadows.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 22
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 19

Explain Framing

Left: Highlighted athlete mental health struggles and unique fashion choices. Center: Focused strictly on match statistics, injury updates, and tournament progression. Right: Emphasized competitive grit and traditional tournament performance metrics.