Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek Reach US Open Third Round

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek moved into the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday, with Osaka overcoming Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 and Swiatek defeating Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2.

Osaka, the No. 13 seed and a two-time U.S. Open champion, recovered after letting a second-set lead slip in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Swiatek, who won the U.S. Open in 2022, had a more straightforward route through her second-round match against Podoroska.

The results kept two former champions moving forward in the women’s draw on a Thursday that also featured a busy singles schedule and the start of doubles competition.

Osaka regains control after second-set dip

Osaka made a fast start against Siniakova, taking the opening set 6-2 in 30 minutes. She then moved ahead 4-2 in the second set and appeared well placed to complete a quick victory.

Instead, Siniakova broke Osaka’s serve in a lengthy following game as the match changed course. Osaka’s level dropped sharply during the set, in which she made 20 unforced errors after recording only four in the first set. Siniakova took the set 7-5 to force a decider.

Osaka responded immediately in the third. She broke for a 2-0 advantage and then closed a 19-shot rally with a volley winner on her way to winning the following game. From there, she re-established control and completed the 6-1 final set to secure her place in the third round.

“The match was definitely really tough and I don’t know, I just felt like I had to fight,” Osaka said. “I definitely had a couple opportunities in the second set and I think I was a little bit too hard on myself. So I took the bathroom break, regrouped a little, came back and just tried to have no regrets.”

Osaka wore silver and white beneath a long white jacket, along with a white visor, for her afternoon match. It followed her opening-night appearance in black, with cornrows under a headband, in a tribute to former NBA player Allen Iverson.

Siniakova entered the match as the world’s No. 1 women’s doubles player. Osaka, meanwhile, brought the experience of four Grand Slam singles titles and used it to steady herself after the difficult middle portion of the contest.

Swiatek advances in straight sets

Swiatek did not need a deciding set against Podoroska, winning 6-3, 6-2 to join Osaka in the third round. The 2022 champion’s victory came as several other prominent players were scheduled to take the court later in the day.

Alex Eala, the No. 17 seed from the Philippines, faced a long wait for her match after Felix Auger-Aliassime’s match with Karen Khachanov went to a fourth set. Coco Gauff was set to headline the night session against Paula Badosa, with No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev scheduled to follow against Quentin Halys.

Badosa was due to play for the second consecutive day after completing her first-round match on Wednesday. That match had been suspended on Tuesday because of rain, which affected the tournament across multiple days. Sunshine was back when Thursday’s play began.

Elsewhere on the men’s schedule, No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz was in action, while Gael Monfils prepared to face No. 14 seed Learner Tien. Monfils had won on his 40th birthday Tuesday to extend his Grand Slam run.

For Osaka and Swiatek, Thursday’s wins ensured that both former U.S. Open champions remained in the tournament as the singles draw moved toward the third round.