# Dramatic Comebacks Power Zheng Qinwen and Naomi Osaka into US Open Fourth Round as Taylor Fritz Crashes Out

> Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen saved a match point to overcome Madison Keys, while two-time champion Naomi Osaka battled past Elise Mertens in three tough sets to reach the US Open fourth round. Meanwhile, ninth seed Taylor Fritz suffered a shocking collapse against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Tennis · **Published:** 2026-09-06 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/tennis/yuesa-opana-men-zheng-qinwen-aura-naomi-osaka-ki-hairataangeja-vapasi-chauthe-daura-men-banai-jagaha-taylor-fritz-hue-bahara-28511 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** US Open 2026, Zheng Qinwen, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Taylor Fritz, Francisco Cerundolo, Tennis News

New York hosted an unforgettable day of tennis at Flushing Meadows, where Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen orchestrated one of the most astonishing comebacks in recent US Open history. Down 0-5 in the deciding set against 2017 finalist Madison Keys, the Chinese star staged a relentless fightback, saving a match point along the way to capture seven consecutive games and secure her berth in the fourth round with a 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory.

## Match Point Missed: Keys Fails to Close Out Against Zheng
The match began with Madison Keys in complete control, dominating the opening set 6-1 with aggressive groundstrokes. Zheng Qinwen recalibrated her game in the second set, eventually forcing a tiebreak and taking it 7-3. However, Keys quickly re-established momentum in the third set, surging to a commanding 5-0 lead. Serving for the match at 5-1, Keys was presented with a match point opportunity to close out the contest. The turning point arrived when Keys failed to convert that crucial chance, opening the door for Zheng to break back and mount an extraordinary streak. As unforced errors crept into her game, Keys was seen repeatedly tapping her racket against her head in visible frustration. After dropping seven games in a row, Keys candidly reflected on how fear and intense pressure crippled her shot-making during the closing stages. Meanwhile, Zheng collapsed onto her back on the hard court in celebration. Zheng remarked, "Hard work pays off." Her victory sets up a high-stakes fourth-round encounter against 2022 US Open champion Iga Swiatek.

## Osaka Overcomes Third-Set Deficit to Defeat Mertens
Former champion Naomi Osaka also had to dig deep into her reserves to survive a demanding third-round battle against Elise Mertens. Seeded 13th in the tournament, Osaka emerged victorious with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 scoreline after a grueling battle lasting two hours and 38 minutes. Osaka encountered severe turbulence in the final set, falling behind 2-4 as Mertens pushed her to the limit. Showing character under pressure, the two-time New York winner rallied to claim four of the final five games. Upon winning the match point, Osaka rested her head on her racket, visibly astonished at her own victory. She confessed afterwards that she was genuinely shocked by the result and apologized for venting her frustration during tight moments of the match.

## Taylor Fritz Collapses After Two-Set Lead Against Cerundolo
While the women's stars survived high-wire acts, the men's draw witnessed a major seed exit as ninth-seeded American Taylor Fritz was ousted in dramatic fashion. Fritz seemed on course for a routine victory after comfortably capturing the first two sets 6-3, 6-4 against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo. However, the 24th seed refused to surrender, shifting his tactical approach to systematically dismantle Fritz's rhythm. Cerundolo stormed back to win the remaining three sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, completing a remarkable five-set upset. A crestfallen Fritz later expressed complete bewilderment over how he allowed a two-set cushion to slip away completely.

## What this means for you
The thrilling third-round action at Flushing Meadows underlines how mental fortitude and physical conditioning redefine grand slam tennis outcomes.

- **For Tennis Fans:** Outstanding comeback performances from stars like Zheng Qinwen highlight the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam matches, promising high-intensity action in upcoming rounds. Subscribing to official tournament broadcasters ensures you do not miss live late-stage drama.
- **For Amateur Players:** Zheng Qinwen saving a match point after being 0-5 down serves as a classic practical lesson in maintaining focus under extreme pressure. Replicating tactical composure during high-stress points can drastically improve competitive outcomes.
- **For Fantasy Sports Managers:** Seeded players like Taylor Fritz falling after two-set leads underscore the importance of monitoring player endurance and match momentum in live betting or fantasy draft strategies. Updating roster picks based on physical condition rather than initial rankings will optimize points.
- **For Sports Travelers:** Tickets for the remaining US Open rounds featuring marquee matchups like Zheng vs Swiatek are seeing increased demand on official ticketing platforms. Securing verified tickets early avoids inflated secondary market prices.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How did Zheng Qinwen defeat Madison Keys in the US Open third round?
Zheng Qinwen overcame a 0-5 deficit in the deciding set, saving a match point to win seven consecutive games and beat Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5.

### 2. Who will Zheng Qinwen play in the US Open fourth round?
Zheng Qinwen will face 2022 US Open champion Iga Swiatek in the fourth round.

### 3. What was the score of Naomi Osaka's third-round victory over Elise Mertens?
13th seed Naomi Osaka defeated Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in a match lasting two hours and 38 minutes.

### 4. Which men's seeded player was eliminated after leading by two sets?
Ninth seed Taylor Fritz was eliminated after losing to 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

## Inspiration & Lessons
The remarkable survival of Zheng Qinwen and Naomi Osaka offers invaluable lessons on grit and mental toughness when facing seemingly impossible obstacles.

- **Never Give Up Regardless of the Score:** Zheng Qinwen faced a 0-5 deficit in the deciding set and saved a match point, proving that a contest is never over until the final point is concluded.
- **Channel Frustration into Focused Action:** Both Osaka and Keys experienced visible emotional stress, but Osaka managed to reset her focus during tight moments to pull through her final set.
- **Hard Work Delivers Results:** Zheng's post-match assertion that diligent preparation pays off reinforces the role of relentless practice in surviving high-pressure situations.

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