Naomi Osaka advanced to the French Open fourth round for the first time in her career after a nearly three-hour, three-set win over American Iva Jovic. Her victory snapped a long drought for Japanese women’s singles at Roland-Garros and sets up a Monday matchu
Naomi Osaka didn’t just win in Paris on Saturday — she reached a milestone she’d never managed before at the French Open.
In the third round on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the No. 16 seed battled through sweltering. humid conditions to outlast American Iva Jovic in a gripping three-set showdown that lasted nearly three hours. Osaka held on 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4, sealing a place in the fourth round for the first time in her career.
The emotional impact was immediate. Osaka covered her mouth in disbelief and joy after the match was called in her favor.
Afterward, when asked whether it was the best match she’s played on clay, Osaka replied, “Probably.”
She also framed the way she approached the day differently from earlier rounds. “Today I was a lot calmer than my first few matches. I think in Slams the further I get the calmer I am. because it’s such a privilege to be here. ” she said. “I’ve never been to the fourth round of Roland-Garros before – it’s my first time.”.
Her advance did more than change her own French Open history. Osaka’s win ended a two-decade-long drought for Japanese women’s singles players at the tournament.
With the fourth round now ahead, Osaka is looking at the bigger picture. She is aiming for her first Grand Slam title in five years, with her last triumph coming at the 2021 Australian Open. Now, in a new stretch of momentum, she will face No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka on Monday.
Sabalenka holds a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head series.
The match details have yet to be disclosed.
For viewers in the U.S., Turner Sports will deliver all French Open coverage, with TNT and TruTV broadcasting the matches on TV. Fans can also stream matches in full on HBO Max.
As Osaka steadied herself deeper into the tournament, the storyline shifted quickly: a first-ever French Open fourth round, a drought ended for Japanese women, and a Monday clash against the world’s top seed — all landing after a three-set battle decided in the heat of Paris.
Naomi Osaka French Open Roland-Garros Aryna Sabalenka Iva Jovic tennis women’s singles HBO Max TNT TruTV sports news
So she beat Iva Jovic in 3 sets and now plays Sabalenka… I’m just glad someone finally did something at that tournament.
Wait it says drought for Japanese women’s singles like that’s the whole country? Also Osaka was calmer?? Maybe the humidity was helping her or something lol. Would love if she won again but Sabalenka is tough.
Naomi’s finally in the fourth round in Paris for the first time ever, right? Kinda wild. I saw on TikTok she’s only good on hard courts though, so idk what clay is doing to her now. Sabalenka being No. 1 with a 2-1 lead… yeah that’s not gonna be easy.
Turner Sports on TNT and TruTV and HBO Max… ok cool but can I just stream it without signing into 14 things? Also the match lasted nearly 3 hours in “sweltering humid conditions” like that explains everything. If it’s that hot I don’t get why they don’t just move the matches later. Anyway congrats Osaka, hopefully she doesn’t get upset by Sabalenka’s attitude or whatever.