Wobbly Osaka battles past Mertens, reaches last 16
Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka overcame 41 unforced errors to beat Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Japan's Naomi Osaka advanced to the US Open fourth round with a hard-fought victory over Belgian Elise Mertens on Saturday. The two-time US Open champion battled through an erratic performance, securing a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win. Osaka committed 41 unforced errors, particularly struggling with her backhand. Despite an early break exchange in the second set, she ultimately conceded the set to Mertens.
In the third set, Mertens capitalized on Osaka's backhand errors to take a 3-2 lead. After a medical timeout for treatment on her left calf and ankle, Osaka returned with renewed focus, breaking Mertens at love for 4-4 and saving a match point. Mertens fought back to tie the match at 5-5, but Osaka clinched the victory with two consecutive serves.
Osaka, seeded 13th, expressed shock at her win, stating that she felt she put her entire heart on the court.
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- Wobbly Osaka battles past Mertens, reaches last 16 freemalaysiatoday.com
