Tokyo (Archyde.com)
Japan’s Naomi Osaka’s defense of her title at the Pan Pacific Open ended with the withdrawal of the former world number one, before the second round match against Beatrice Haddad Maya due to abdominal pain.
“I feel very sorry for not being able to compete,” said Osaka, the four-times Grand Slam champion who won the last edition in her hometown of Osaka in 2019.
“It’s a huge honor to be able to play in the Pan Pacific in front of the amazing fans here in Japan, it’s a special moment for me, and it will always be, and I would have liked to play, but my body wouldn’t allow it.”
This is the last blow for the 24-year-old, after missing the entire season of grasscourt tournaments due to an Achilles tendon injury, and withdrew from the first round in Toronto, due to a back problem, while preparing for the US Open.
Brazilian Haddad Maya will meet fourth seed Veronica Kudermetova, or Mexican qualifier Fernanda Contreras Gomez, in the quarter-finals.