Zheng Qinwen and Naomi Osaka advance in thrilling US Open third round

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Zheng Qinwen collapsed onto her back with arms outstretched, celebrating a US Open victory that looked improbable.

Madison Keys struggled to process the result after watching Zheng, backed into a corner, mount an incredible comeback to snatch the win.

The Olympic gold medalist extended her Flushing Meadows campaign on Saturday with a remarkable turnaround, claiming seven consecutive games to eliminate 22nd seed Keys 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5.

“I feel like I obviously got off to a really good lead, and then I just got really – I mean, got really scared, like I couldn’t swing,” Keys said. “I don’t know. Tennis just feels really hard right now, so I feel like that kind of took over.”

Hours later, 13th seed Naomi Osaka secured her spot in the fourth round by overcoming Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. The two-time champion rested her head against her racket in disbelief following the final point.

“Honestly, I can’t believe I won this match,” Osaka said. “I’m literally shocked that I won this match.”

Osaka rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the deciding set and mounted a historic comeback to keep her US Open alive.

“There was a certain point, I don’t know, I felt like I put my entire heart on the court and then I just kept trying every single point,” Osaka said. “I didn’t feel like I played amazing, and it was really getting me down. I was very negative on myself.”

Taylor Fritz out of US Open after loss against Cerundolo

Unlike Osaka, ninth seed Taylor Fritz could not avoid an early exit, surrendering a two-set advantage to fall 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 against 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo.

“I don’t know how I let that happen today,” Fritz said.

Tenth seed Amanda Anisimova was also ousted, falling 6-2, 7-5 to 24th seed Anastasia Potapova. Fifth seed Flavio Cobolli lost in four sets to 28th seed Alexander Blockx, leaving the men’s singles draw without six of its top ten seeds.

Meanwhile, 2023 champion Coco Gauff swept past Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 to set up a clash with 18-year-old Iva Jovic, who prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 against Alex Eala.

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