NEW YORK : Two-time champion Naomi Osaka overcame a mid-match lapse to reach the U.S. Open third round on Thursday, while Madison Keys saved five match points before completing a dramatic comeback as fans awaited Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev in the late programme.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, battled past Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-2 5-7 6-1 in an entertaining contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 28-year-old Japanese player, a popular figure in New York, regained her composure after dropping the second set and took control of the decider to advance.
“I just told myself that it’s an honour to play on this court,” Osaka told the crowd. “I just want to keep playing in front of you guys if possible.”
Osaka won her maiden Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in 2018 and returned to the spotlight on the same court with another resilient performance.
On the outer courts, American Keys produced an equally dramatic comeback, saving five match points before beating Hungary’s Anna Bondar 5-7 6-4 7-6(5)
The 2017 finalist fired 34 forehand winners and recovered from a set down to force the deciding tiebreak.
Keys sealed victory when Bondar sent a shot into the net on match point, prompting a loud celebration from the home fans.
