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Osaka cracks Paris milestone

Four-time major champion reached the round of 16 for the first time at Roland-Garros

Naomi Osaka, 3R, Roland-Garros 2026
©Clement Mahoudeau / FFT
 - Chris Oddo

Naomi Osaka looked like an animated version of the Eiffel Tower when she stepped onto Court Suzanne-Lenglen for her third-round clash with 18-year-old American Iva Jovic on Saturday.

Gold sequins shimmering in the sun – a sparkling entrance worthy of a four-time Grand Slam champion. 

The No.16 seed’s tennis shone brightly as well, as Osaka booked her spot in the round of 16 for the first time on the Parisian clay with a 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4 win over the American.

Was it Osaka's best match ever on clay?

"Probably," Osaka said.

"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. I've never been to the fourth round of Roland-Garros before – it's my first time."

Sabalenka looms

Osaka will face top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round on Monday in Paris. Sabalenka has won both their meetings in 2026, but Osaka takes confidence from their three-set battle in Madrid earlier this month.

"I played a pretty good match in Madrid," she said. "I think I just dipped in the second and third set. Hopefully just keep the consistency and keep trying to be aggressive. Whatever happens, happens."

I think younger players are some of the scariest players to play, because they have no fear

Naomi Osaka

Osaka and Jovic traded punches in a two-hour and 58-minute slugfest between one of the tour’s most seismic ball strikers and a rising counterpuncher who doesn’t lack for power, either. 

“She’s an amazing player,” Osaka said of the youngest player in the WTA’s top 20. “It was my first time playing her and I’m sure we’re going to see her go very far in Grand Slams.” 

Jovic drew first blood and Osaka responded in kind with a break-back for 3-all in the first set. The Japanese star failed to convert two set points in the 12th game with the American serving, but raced ahead in the ensuing tiebreak to earn three more set points at 6-3. 

The fifth did the trick, 7-6(5).

Iva Jovic, Roland-Garros 2026, third round
©Clément Mahoudeau / FFT

Iva Jovic

No.17 seed Jovic, patches of clay caked on her back, ponytail dangling over her shoulders, cut a determined figure in set two. 

After Jovic held for 6-5 in the second set, Osaka bounced her racquet off the clay, lamenting missed opportunities after a 30-15 lead in the game. Soon Jovic struck and confidently closed the second set in a tiebreak.

Veteran poise

The Southern California native possesses a stoic on-court aura like Osaka, even if their games differ in meaningful ways. Fleet-footed Jovic relies on tactical precision while Osaka prefers to play a pedal-to-the-medal brand of first-strike tennis. 

Despite the yawning gap in Grand Slam experience between the two – Osaka was contesting her 100th career Grand Slam main draw match; Jovic, a debutant in Paris, her 17th – the tennis remained nip-and-tuck until the bitter end, as constant pressure from the teen caused Osaka plenty of stress. 

"I feel like one of the reasons I was really calm was because I knew she was young," Osaka said. 'I think younger players are some of the scariest players to play, because they have no fear, and they're kind of just going in there.

"I also knew going into the match she's a really great player, so I just hoped that my veteran status could shine a little bit in some moments, and I think it did."

The third set was nearly a carbon copy, but this time Osaka cut Jovic off at the pass. The first break point of the third set was a match point, and it was the only one Osaka would need.