Osaka beats Mertens in three-set battle despite Achilles niggle

Naomi Osaka defeated Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to advance to the US Open fourth round.

Why it mattersOsaka's advance shows her ability to overcome physical setbacks in a major tournament and suggests her Achilles issue is manageable.

AustraliaAustralians following the US Open will track Osaka's progress as she faces stronger opposition with an ongoing minor injury.

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Alexander Zverev. Tennis player in purple shirt during US Open match on hard court with crowd

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Zverev reaches all four Grand Slam semis in one season

Alexander Zverev beat van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 to join an elite group in tennis history.

Why it mattersReaching all four major semi-finals in a single year puts a player in rare company and signals a genuine chance at multiple titles before the calendar year ends.