Former champion Naomi Osaka survived a third-round scare before grinding out a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-2 victory over Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk to reach the last 16 of the US Open on Saturday (NZ time).
The Japanese fourth seed initially looked like she would enjoy a routine day on the court but was forced to dig deep to secure victory after 2h 33m against an 18-year-old who was making her US Open main draw debut.
"She was very good. Like, I'm kind of scared of how she's going to be in the future," says Osaka.
After Osaka breezed through the first set, a match filled with shifts in momentum suddenly turned in Kostyuk's favour as she broke her opponent for the first time to pull ahead 4-3.
Kostyuk consolidated the break but dropped the next three games and had to hold serve to force the tiebreak. She dropped the first two points but won seven of the next nine to close out the set, leaving Osaka to fling her racquet down in frustration.
"I just feel like I had so many points that I didn't capitalise on," said Osaka. "When I went up I became a bit passive and then she came in because she has no fear."
Osaka, whose left leg was heavily taped after suffering a hamstring injury that forced her to withdraw from the final of a tune-up event last week, leaned on her experience and steadied herself in the decider.
"I'm very tired right now," said Osaka. "I just want to go into an ice bath. I'm not sure this is classified as an emergency but I feel like I'm going to pass out."
Czech Petra Kvitova struggled with unforced errors but still had enough weapons to defeat American Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-3 on Friday to advance to the fourth round.
The two-times Wimbledon champion had 28 unforced errors and five double faults but moved up a gear when it mattered to win her first career meeting with baseline battler Pegula.
Sixth seed Kvitova broke the world No. 63 twice in each set and completed the win when Pegula sent a return wide.
Next up for Kvitova will be another American in Shelby Rogers, who earlier advanced with a 6-2 6-4 win against compatriot Madison Brengle.
The US Open is the only Grand Slam event where Kvitova has failed to reach the semi-finals.
Elsewhere in the women's draw, 2016 champion Angelique Kerber beat Ann Li 6-3 6-4 and will now play American Jennifer Brady, who saw off France's Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-3.
Reuters
