Osaka Battles Past Kasatkina to Set Up U.S. Open Showdown with Gauff

By Eppe Franklyne

• Osaka defeats Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 to reach fourth round

• Japanese star into best Slam run since 2021

• Faces American No. 3 seed Coco Gauff next

• Musetti advances after Cobolli retires with arm injury

Naomi Osaka produced a gritty performance to reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Saturday, outlasting 15th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The four-time major champion raced through the opening set in just 22 minutes as Kasatkina’s serve collapsed, before the Russian recovered to force a decider in a tense second set filled with breaks. Osaka regained control in the third, saving an early break point with back-to-back winners and powering ahead to close out victory.

“Honestly, I was trying to tell myself to stay calm. I was so shaky today but I’m glad it was entertaining,” Osaka said. “Whenever I come here it feels like home. I kinda see Coco as a little sister, so it’s cool to be playing her here.”

The win continues Osaka’s best Grand Slam run in four years and sets up a blockbuster clash with home favorite Coco Gauff in the fourth round.

Elsewhere in men’s singles, Lorenzo Musetti advanced after fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli was forced to retire while trailing 6-3, 6-2, 2-0 due to an arm injury.