Naomi Osaka vs Elise Mertens Preview & Prediction | 2026 US Open | Third Round

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Naomi Osaka takes on Elise Mertens in the third-round of the US Open. 

Start date/time: 5 September 2026 at 4:00 pm

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – ESPN+

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Naomi Osaka vs Elise Mertens ticket information

Naomi Osaka vs Elise Mertens prediction

Naomi Osaka had to overcome a mid-match wobble before defeating Katerina Siniakova in three sets at Flushing Meadows. The two-time US Open champion appeared to be cruising after taking the opening set and moving within a game of victory at 5-3 in the second, only for Siniakova to reel off four consecutive games. Osaka reset impressively for the decider, taking control immediately to secure a 6-2 5-7 6-1 win. She had already been tested by Anastasia Zakharova in round one. 

Elise Mertens advanced after a straight sets win over Maria Timofeeva. The Belgian was made to work harder in the second but still came through to win 6-2 7-6 (5). Mertens began her campaign with a win over Kaitlin Quevedo and reached the final of the Monterrey Open at the end of last week.

The head-to-head is tied at 3-3, but Osaka has convincingly won their two meetings in 2026. She easily got past Mertens 6-1 6-2 at the Canadian Open last month, and that recent result is particularly significant given the similar surface. 

Naomi Osaka vs Elise Mertens tip: Naomi Osaka to win 2-0