Naomi Osaka ends four-match losing streak after opponent retires in Tokyo
- Planet Sport writer
- 20 September 2022
Naomi Osaka ended a four-match losing run in unfortunate fashion in Tokyo when opponent Daria Saville retired injured in only the second game of the match.
The Australian's career has been blighted by injury, including long-term knee and Achilles problems, and it is only this year she has returned to the top 100.
Saville yelped in pain after playing a short forehand and collapsed to the court in distress clutching her left knee. She was able to walk away but did not risk continuing, shaking hands with Osaka after only 11 points.
"I feel really bad right now because of how it ended," Osaka told fans at Ariake Coliseum after the match. "I've been injured for most of the year so I just want people to clap for her because she's a really amazing player."
Osaka has had her own injury problems this year with Achilles and back issues and the former world number one had not won a match since the beginning of August.
"Life is ups and downs, and this year was more down than up, but overall I'm pretty happy with where I am now," Osaka said prior to the start of this week's tournament.
🇯🇵 @naomiosaka advances to the Tokyo last 16 as Saville is forced to retire through injury with the score at 1-0 in the first set.
— wta (@WTA) September 20, 2022
Speedy recovery, @Daria_gav 🫂💜#TorayPPO pic.twitter.com/1jGDMVCrwc
The Japanese star moves on to face Brazilian fifth seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round.
Elsewhere, former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin's struggles continued with a 7-6 (7) 6-4 defeat by Mexico's Fernanda Contreras Gomez.
Emma Raducanu begins her Korea Open campaign in Seoul on Wednesday against Japan's Moyuka Uchijima.
A message from @naomiosaka to @Daria_gav, who was forced to retire from their match through injury 💜 pic.twitter.com/EOvdV6512r
— wta (@WTA) September 20, 2022
