US Open: Osaka, Alcaraz, Djokovic Shine as Gauff Joins Them in Last 16
Naomi Osaka powered into the fourth round of the US Open with a commanding 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 victory over 15th seed Daria Kasatkina on Saturday. This win marks Osaka’s best Grand Slam performance since 2021 and sets up an exciting showdown with American third seed Coco Gauff.
Under the bright lights of Louis Armstrong Stadium, Osaka showcased her formidable power and composure. She started strong, breaking Kasatkina early and racing to a 3-0 lead. Despite a brief wobble in the second set, where Kasatkina managed to level the match, Osaka regained her focus in the final set, saving a break point and eventually closing out the match.
“Honestly, I was trying to tell myself to stay calm. I was so shaky today, but I’m glad that it was an entertaining match,” Osaka said afterward. The 27-year-old expressed her gratitude for the support from the crowd, asking them to cheer for her during her upcoming match against Gauff, whom she referred to as a “little sister.”
Coco Gauff also advanced to the fourth round with an impressive straight-sets victory over Poland’s Magdalena Frech, winning 6-3, 6-1. This match marked a significant improvement for Gauff, who had struggled in her previous round against Donna Vekic. The third seed executed her game plan effectively, winning 71% of her first serve points and conceding just two break points throughout the match.
“It’s been an emotional week, but I think I needed those tough moments to move forward,” Gauff reflected, highlighting her determination to enjoy the game despite earlier challenges. Her victory sets up a highly anticipated clash with Osaka, promising an electrifying encounter between the two talented players.
In the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic both secured their spots in the last 16 with comfortable wins. Alcaraz breezed past Italian Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0, while Djokovic defeated Britain’s Cam Norrie 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-3. Djokovic, at 38, became the oldest man to reach this stage of the tournament since Jimmy Connors in 1991.
Meanwhile, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka avenged her 2021 semifinal defeat to Leylah Fernandez with a straight-sets victory, extending her winning streak in tie-breaks to 18.
