Osaka advances to US Open third round after three-set win

Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round of the US Open on Thursday, September 3, 2026, after recovering from a mid-match lapse to defeat Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. The two-time champion, seeded 13th, overcame a tense second set to secure her 80th Grand Slam main draw victory. Osaka appeared in control early, winning the first set in just over 30 minutes with only four unforced errors. She extended her lead to 4-2 in the second set, but her form dipped significantly. The Japanese player committed 20 unforced errors in the second set alone, allowing Siniakova, the world No. 1 in doubles, to break serve three times and force a decider. After losing the second set 7-5, Osaka took a bathroom break to reset. She emerged with renewed focus, breaking Siniakova immediately to start the third set and racing to a 3-0 lead. She closed out the match in two hours and two minutes, committing just five more unforced errors in the final set. "I just felt like I was a little bit too hard on myself after opportunities in the second set," Osaka said during her on-court interview. "I took the bathroom break, regrouped a little, came back and just tried to have no regrets.