Osaka outlasts Mertens in three sets at the US Open

Naomi Osaka came through a three-set battle with Elise Mertens 6-3 3-6 7-5 to move into the US Open fourth round. The Japanese leaned on her first delivery all afternoon, landing only 57.8 percent of them but winning 79.4 percent of those points, and she struck nine aces to the Belgian's three while keeping her double faults down to two against Mertens' five. The middle set turned on Osaka's second ball, which brought her just 34.8 percent of its points, compared with 42.5 percent for Mertens, who won 68.1 percent behind her first serve. In the decider the bigger weapon held firm, and Osaka's serve carried her home from 5-5.