Naomi Osaka Withdraws from the Japan Open Due to Injury
OSAKA, Japan – Tennis player Naomi Osaka was forced to withdraw from the Japan Open quarterfinal match on Friday due to a left leg injury.
This decision allowed Jaqueline Cristian to advance directly to the semifinals, according to the WTA Tour.
The tournament organizers explained that Osaka, who was the top seed, failed to recover from the injury suffered in her second-round match.
Before the injury, Osaka had achieved victories against Wakana Sonobe and Suzan Lamens.
After splitting the first two sets with Lamens, Osaka took a 5-0 lead in the third. However, during an exchange, Osaka felt discomfort in her left leg. Although she won the point, she requested medical time.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, returned to the court with a bandage on her left thigh and limitations in her mobility, but managed to close out the match on her third match point.
In another quarterfinal match of the Japan Open on Friday, Leylah Fernandez defeated Rebecca Šramková 7-6 (2), 6-3.
