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Daria Kasatkina admitted she could barely move as cramps gripped her body, but the world No.18 still found a way to survive at the US Open. The 15th seed clawed back from 4-1 down in the final set to overcome close friend Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2 4-6 7-5 in a tense two-hour, 22-minute battle.

“When I was 4-1 down, I was just like, ‘Oh my God’. I also started cramping,” Kasatkina revealed after the win. “My finger was cramping. My quad was cramping. I was just running on the court trying to finish as quickly as possible. I’m really happy with my effort today because even though I was not playing my best tennis, I was still able to get this win.”

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The relief was visible as Kasatkina, playing her third grand slam since switching allegiances in March, booked a third round clash with two time champion Naomi Osaka.

Australians crash out as Kasatkina and Hon advance

For Australia, it was a difficult day at Flushing Meadows. Alexei Popyrin, who stunned Novak Djokovic last year, was no match for top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner, losing 6-3 6-2 6-2. “There’s not much you can do when you come up against those players,” Popyrin conceded.

Adam Walton, fresh from the best win of his career over 22nd seed Ugo Humbert, fell to Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong in four sets. Tristan Schoolkate also exited after a straight sets defeat to Alexander Bublik.

That left Priscilla Hon as the sole Australian woman standing, with a golden chance to reach the last 16 when she faces American Ann Li.

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Osaka showdown awaits as Kasatkina eyes deep run

Kasatkina had appeared in full control after winning the opening set and breaking early in the second. But Rakhimova surged with five consecutive games, forcing the contest into a deciding set where she again looked set to prevail. Instead, Kasatkina showed trademark grit, winning six of the final seven games despite her body threatening to shut down.

Now the 27-year-old turns her focus to Osaka, who remains one of the most dangerous players on hard courts. The showdown promises to be a highlight of the women’s draw as both players chase momentum in New York.

Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur and teenager Maya Joint are still to play their second-round matches. De Minaur faces Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki, while Joint meets Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova under the lights on Louis Armstrong Stadium.