Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka survived another erratic outing, beating Belgian Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 on Saturday to reach the US Open fourth round. Osaka had 41 unforced errors, her backhand in particular letting her down as she was unable to build on a comfortable first set for the second straight match.&nbsp;WATCH Osaka's Winning Moment -

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Naomi survives the storm 🌪️ Osaka battles past Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 after a dramatic deciding set. <a href="https://t.co/1F4m2VyE4R">pic.twitter.com/1F4m2VyE4R</a>&mdash; US Open Tennis (@usopen) <a href="https://x.com/usopen/status/2096416463301079317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I'm literally shocked that I won this match," Osaka, seeded 13th, told an adoring crowd in Louis Armstrong Stadium. "There was a certain point where I felt like I put my entire heart on the court. I just kept trying every point."&nbsp;After an early exchange of breaks in the second set, Osaka failed to convert a pair of chances and Mertens broke again for a 5-3 lead. Osaka gifted the Belgian two break points with a double fault, saving one with a forehand winner before sailing a backhand wide.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/alexander-zverev-beats-alejandro-tabilo-us-open-fourth-round-1788680367665">Top seed Alexander Zverev beats Tabilo in straight sets to reach US Open fourth round</a>&nbsp;Mertens finally took the set when Osaka dumped a backhand into the net.&nbsp;Mertens kept the pressure on in the third and was rewarded with a break for a 3-2 lead, aided by a string of backhand errors from Osaka.&nbsp;Osaka was clearly frustrated, berating herself and exchanging some testy words with her team.&nbsp;"I didn't feel like I played amazing, it was really getting me down," she told the crowd, offering an apology for her behaviour.&nbsp;She was down a break trailing 4-3 when she took a medical timeout for treatment on her left calf and ankle. Osaka returned with renewed vigor, breaking Mertens at love for 4-4 and saving a break point in the next game for a 5-4 lead.&nbsp;Mertens didn't go quietly, saving a match point on the way to 5-5 and saving two more in the final game before Osaka secured the win.

Naomi Osaka admitted she was "shocked" to beat Elise Mertens in a three-set US Open thriller. Read her candid post-match reaction after advancing to the fourth round. 

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka survived another erratic outing, beating Belgian Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 on Saturday to reach the US Open fourth round. Osaka had 41 unforced errors, her backhand in particular letting her down as she was unable to build on a comfortable first set for the second straight match. WATCH Osaka's Winning Moment -

Naomi Osaka admitted she was "shocked" to beat Elise Mertens in a three-set US Open thriller. Read her candid post-match reaction after advancing to the fourth round.&nbsp;

‘I’m Shocked I Won’: Naomi Osaka reflects on US Open thriller against Mertens

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‘I’m Shocked I Won’: Naomi Osaka reflects on US Open thriller against Mertens