Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka powered into the U.S. Open fourth round on Saturday with a 6-0 4-6 6-3 win over 15th seed Daria Kasatkina.

It marks her best Grand Slam run since 2021.

Osaka lit up Louis Armstrong Stadium in broad daylight, turning her third-round match into a showcase of power and poise.

The Japanese star dominated early, absorbed a second-set wobble, and closed out the win to set up a last-16 clash with American third seed Coco Gauff.

“Honestly, I was trying to tell myself to stay calm. I was so shaky today but I’m glad it was an entertaining match,” Osaka said.

“Whenever I come here it feels like home. You guys are very involved and I feel grateful, thank you.”

Osaka looked sharp from the start, earning an early break with help from a double fault, then racing to a 3-0 lead.

Kasatkina struggled on serve, producing eight double faults and landing just 25 per cent of first serves in the opening set.

Osaka calmly dished out a bagel in just 22 minutes.

The Russian steadied in a scrappy second set, which featured several breaks and errors from both players, and managed to force a decider.

But Osaka regained her composure in the third.

She saved a break point with two blistering winners, surged to a 3-1 lead, and closed out the match to stay on course for a third U.S. Open title.

The 23rd seed said the win felt more like a fight than a flawless performance.

“I don’t think I played that well, but mentally I was just trying to fight for everything,” she told reporters.

“It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster.”

This is the first time Osaka has reached the fourth round of a major since winning the 2021 Australian Open.

She reflected on the time it has taken to rebuild her form.

“After Wimbledon I just tried not to think about results anymore and focus on each match,” she said.

“I’m pleased. It’s not a journey I pictured, but I’m glad to be living it.”

Looking ahead to her showdown with 2023 champion Gauff, Osaka recalled their first meeting at Flushing Meadows six years ago.

“I knew she was going to be a great player, which I was right,” she said.

“She was 15 at the time and handled herself so well. To be playing her again now feels really special.”

(Reuters/NAN)