US Open 2026: Naomi Osaka serves style and substance in win over Elise Mertens
(Courtesy :Â Getty Images)
Naomi Osaka was seen wearing standout US Open outfits
Naomi Osaka of Japan is never the one to shy away from making some statements. She added another chapter to her run of standout US Open outfits on Saturday as she walked onto the Louis Armstrong Stadium in a grey checked blazer-hoodie paired with wide-leg pants.
The 13th seed backed the look with a gritty performance, defeating Belgiumâs Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the fourth round of the tournament in New York.
The two-time US Open champion started fast, reeling off three straight games to build a 4-1 lead in the opening set under the lights.
Osaka closed it out with a string of powerful serves, putting early pressure on the 23rd-seeded Mertens. The second set flipped the momentum, as Mertens capitalised on unforced errors from the Japanese to level the match at one set apiece.
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The decider brought its own complications. Osaka needed a medical timeout to deal with an ongoing Achilles issue that has bothered her since the grass-court season earlier in the year. She also dealt with visible frustration during stretches of the third set, at one point throwing her racket to the ground.
Despite that, she fought back from a break down, closed out the match with a huge ace to move ahead 6-5, and sealed the win in her next service game.
Osaka had this dress-like look in the second round too
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This was not an isolated moment for Osakaâs on-court style this tournament. In the second round, she wore a custom Thom Browne outfit, with her entire player box reportedly dressed in matching pieces from the same designer. That followed an Allen Iverson-inspired look in her opening-round match, continuing a pattern of themed, fashion-forward walk-on outfits through the tournament.
Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion and two-time US Open winner, though her most recent major title came at the 2021 Australian Open. She reached the semi-finals of last yearâs US Open before losing to Amanda Anisimova of the USA, and has already advanced to at least the fourth round at both the French Open and Wimbledon this season.
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Osakaâs win over Mertens sets up a fourth-round matchup against second-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who advanced with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 win over unseeded Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Saturdayâs third round also saw several notable American exits, including Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Amanda Anisimova, while 18-year-old Iva Jovic beat friend and compatriot Alexandra Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to reach her first fourth round at the US Open in three tournament appearances.
What did Naomi Osaka wear during her third-round match at the 2026 US Open?
Osaka wore a grey checked blazer-hoodie paired with wide-leg pants, continuing a run of distinctive walk-on outfits through the tournament, including an Allen Iverson-inspired look in round one and a custom Thom Browne outfit in round two.
Who will Naomi Osaka play in the fourth round of the 2026 US Open?
Osaka will face second-seeded Elena Rybakina, who beat unseeded Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 to reach the round of 16.
How many times has Naomi Osaka won the US Open singles title?
Osaka has won the US Open singles title twice â 2018 and 2020.
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