Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Japan Open Due to Injury

OSAKA, Japan – Top-seeded Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the WTA 500 Kinoshita Group Japan Open quarter-finals due to a left leg injury, allowing Jacqueline Cristian to advance to the semi-finals on Friday.

Osaka, who recently turned 28, was visibly upset after struggling to complete her Last 16 match against defending champion Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands, where she required heavy strapping on her left thigh. Following her match, which she won in three sets, Osaka visited a hospital on her birthday.

The tournament announced her withdrawal on social media, stating, “We regret to announce that Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury sustained during the second round of this tournament and has withdrawn from the quarter-finals scheduled for today.” Initially, Osaka had hoped to recover in time but was unable to do so.

With Osaka’s exit, Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian 4th seed, is now the highest-seeded player remaining in the draw.

Cristian is set to compete against teenage qualifier Tereza Valentova, who earned her place in the semi-finals after defeating No. 6 seed Olga Danilovic.

Fernandez had to fight back multiple times to beat Rebecca Sramkova in straight sets, 7-6(2) 6-3, advancing to her semi-final match. She revealed how momentum shifted after she broke back late in the first set.

Cristian’s advancement marks her third semi-final appearance of the year, and her first on a surface other than clay.

Fernandez will face Sorana Cirstea in the semi-finals, while Osaka is expected to retain her No. 16 ranking in the PIF WTA Rankings despite the withdrawal.