Naomi Osaka Reaches US Open 2026 Fourth Round After Fighting Past Mertens

Naomi Osaka battled through pain and a tense three-set contest to reach the fourth round of the 2026 US Open, defeating Belgium's Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The No. 13 seed spent two hours and 38 minutes on court and overcame a lingering lower-leg issue during a dramatic deciding set.

Osaka Shows Her Fighting Spirit

Osaka made a strong start, taking the opening set 6-3 and establishing control with her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game.

Mertens responded in the second set, forcing Osaka into longer rallies and capitalising on an increase in unforced errors. The Belgian levelled the match at one set apiece.

The deciding set became a physical and emotional battle.

Injury Adds to the Drama

With the score at 3-4 in the third set, Osaka called for the trainer because of a lower-leg problem.

Despite the discomfort, the four-time Grand Slam champion refused to let the injury end her campaign. She responded by winning three consecutive games to move ahead 5-4.

Mertens fought back to level the set, but Osaka eventually earned another opportunity to close out the match. She converted her fourth match point at 6-5, sealing one of her hardest-fought victories of the tournament.

After the match, Osaka admitted she was shocked to have won, thanking the crowd for staying with her throughout the late-night battle.

Another Step Toward a Third US Open Title

The victory sent Osaka into the second week of the tournament for the fifth time in 10 US Open main-draw appearances.

It also marked a significant achievement in her 2026 Grand Slam season. Osaka had already reached the fourth round at Roland Garros and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, meaning she reached the fourth round at three of the four Grand Slams in the same calendar year for the first time in her career.

The Japanese star is a two-time US Open champion, having lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2020.

Rybakina Awaits

Osaka's reward for surviving Mertens was a fourth-round meeting with No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina.

The matchup presented another major challenge. Rybakina entered the fourth round without dropping a set at the tournament, while Osaka had been pushed to three sets in each of her previous two matches.

Their previous meeting came less than a month earlier in Toronto, where Rybakina fought back to defeat Osaka 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.

For Osaka, however, reaching the second week represented another important sign of her continued return to the top level.

At her favourite Grand Slam venue, the former world No. 1 had once again shown that she could survive pressure, physical problems and difficult moments when the stakes were highest.

About TVR

TVR: The Voice Of Reform is an independent digital news platform covering major developments across India and around the world.

Editorial Note

Our articles are prepared using publicly available information and verified reporting. We aim to present news accurately, independently and responsibly. Information may be updated as new facts emerge.

Comments

How Did the Delhi Sultanate Begin? The Story Behind the Rise of Turkish Rule in North India

H ow Did the Delhi Sultanate Begin? The Story Behind the Rise of Turkish Rule in North India At the beginning of the 13th century, northern India entered a major new political era. The Delhi Sultanate , which eventually ruled large parts of the subcontinent for more than three centuries, did not appear suddenly. Its origins can be traced to the campaigns of Muhammad Ghori , the defeat of major North Indian powers, and the rise of his trusted commander Qutb-ud-din Aibak . When Muhammad Ghori died in 1206 , Aibak established independent authority over the Ghurid territories in northern India. That year is generally regarded as the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate. India Before the Delhi Sultanate Northern India in the 12th century was politically divided. Several Rajput kingdoms controlled different regions, while powerful states existed in other parts of the subcontinent. There was no single political authority controlling all of northern India. This situation created opportunities for ...

The Voice Of Reform

Search This Blog