OSAKA – Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka reached the quarterfinals of the Japan Women’s Open after limping past last year’s winner Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-2 in the second round on Wednesday.
The four-time Grand Slam champion and current world No. 16, back in her home city of Osaka, was cruising 5-0 in the final set at Utsubo Tennis Center when she hurt her left leg and underwent three minutes of treatment.
Lamens, ranked 57th, held serve and got a break but Osaka, who had her thigh and hamstring heavily strapped, showed her grit in the next game with an angled backhand to seal the victory after 2 hours, 20 minutes.
“It was definitely really difficult,” said Osaka, who had tears in her eyes as she clinched the win. “I’m really glad to have won and it’s very special for me to play here, so thank you for coming out.”
Osaka, who had nine aces to one from her opponent, then had to cut short her on-court interview as her leg was “really hurting.”
AloJapan.com