Naomi Osaka Fights Through The Pain, Books Her Spot In Round Four

Naomi Osaka advanced to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows after a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, three-set win over Belgium’s Elise Mertens on Saturday night. The 28-year-old needed nearly two hours and 40 minutes, battling a lingering Achilles issue and a version of her game she said she didn’t trust. After comfortably taking the first set, Osaka appeared on course to finish quickly, but the match shifted into a mental struggle. The article says she noticed her shot-quality percentages drop, and her confidence followed, making her forehand feel unfamiliar. Osaka missed three match points before closing on the fourth. Her next opponent is second seed Elena Rybakina.