Osaka squeezes into US Open third round

September 3, 2026 - 17:33

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round in New York on Thursday, but not without a fight. The Japanese star defeated Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 5-7, 6-1, overcoming a shaky second set where she let several chances slip away.

Osaka had multiple break opportunities in the second set but failed to convert, allowing Siniakova to level the match. The former world number one admitted after the match that she was too critical of herself during that stretch. "I definitely had a couple of opportunities in the second set, and I think I was a little too hard on myself," Osaka said.

The third set was a different story. Osaka regrouped, tightened her groundstrokes, and raced through the decider, dropping only one game. She will now face Belgium's Elise Mertens, who earlier defeated Maria Timofeeva of Uzbekistan in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).

Osaka is seeking her third title at Flushing Meadows, having won the event in 2018 and 2020. Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game looked sharp early on, but her consistency wavered in the middle of the match. Still, she showed the resilience that has defined her career on the hard courts of New York, closing out the match with authority. The win sets up an intriguing third-round clash against Mertens, a steady and experienced opponent who will test Osaka's patience from the baseline.