Alexander Zverev kept his bid for a second Grand Slam title alive with a straightforward win over Alejandro Tabilo, while Coco Gauff stayed strong to reach the fourth round of the US Open as several of her fellow Americans crashed out. Naomi Osaka overcame a mental and physical battle to outlast Belgium’s Elise Mertens in a three-setter on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Saturday. Two of the brightest young prospects in the women’s draw, and close friends off the court, put on a show as American Iva Jovic edged Filipina Alexandra Eala in a thrilling clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After back-to-back five-setters, top seed Zverev finally enjoyed a quieter night as he overcame a small mid-match dip to see off Chile’s Tabilo 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-2. I think I improved a lot from the baseline,” Zverev said. I think, especially at the end of the second set, I lost focus a little bit.
I was not moving as well. I was not playing as well. But I think the first and third sets are a big improvement to the other days.
I’ll try to focus on that.” Japanese 13th seed Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, worked through a challenge after letting slip a one-set and break advantage before managing an Achilles niggle to beat Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. The match was as much a test of Osaka’s composure as her tennis, with the 28-year-old showing visible frustration before regaining control in the decider. Jovic, 18, and Eala, 21, traded momentum throughout a contest that lasted more than three hours before the American prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
Jovic, the 14th seed, will next face compatriot and fan favourite Gauff. Fourth seed Gauff had earlier provided the day’s clearest positive for the home fans, the 22-year-old beating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4, as the 2023 champion looks to win a third Grand Slam crown. Second seed Elena Rybakina continued her quest for a third major title and the top spot in the WTA rankings, advancing after a 7-6(6), 6-3 win over Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Australian Open champion Rybakina avenged the second-round defeat she suffered to the Ukrainian at the French Open. The Kazakh will face Osaka for a place in the quarterfinals. Iga Swiatek, the 2022 champion, beat Marie Bouzkova 7-6(3), 7-6(3), while French Open champion Mirra Andreeva advanced by downing Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 7-6(5).
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